Everton defender Yerry Mina admits he has a fantastic relationship with teammate and countryman James Rodriugez.

The two have known each other for a long time due to their exploits with the national team.

Now they are clubmates as well, given Rodriguez's transfer to Goodison Park in the summer.

Mina told Marca: "I knew him, but not as well as I do now. I know the person he is, and he is a great human being.

"As a professional, he is top, and always wants to do things right.

"I used to talk to him about the bad times, and he would tell me 'don't worry, this is going to change. You are a good person, a winner'… And that is how it was.

"That's why when one of us has a problem, we try to give it to the other one so that it doesn't affect us.

"When we are on the pitch we talk about football, but outside we try to do something else.

"Our families, going to the gym, sauna. One thing is what people see of him from the outside, but it's another on the inside."