Why it makes no sense for Gareth Bale to go to Real Madrid - this summer.
Gareth Bale is flying at the moment. The Welshman
scored 26 goals in all competitions last year and has been constantly linked
with Manchester United and Real Madrid for the past 12 months. This summer
however, all that talk has become a reality - with Real Madrid confirming they
want Bale at the Bernabeu.
He's made his name as a left winger, and it's where he
has proved to be more prolific for Spurs. He played centrally a few times and
even on the right once or twice but always seemed more comfortable playing on
the left drifting infield naturally rather than being positioned there. Madrid
have reportedly bid a world record £85M for him, which surely means he'll be
first choice. But if that is the case, that means they'll be moving arguably
the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo out of position to make room
for Bale.
Even in pre-season, Ronaldo has been deployed more
centrally by new Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and said in a press conference that
he "feels comfortable" in his new role in the side. Madrid have just
sold Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli, meaning they have 2 senior strikers at the club
- Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata. With that in mind the re-positioning of
Ronaldo makes a bit more sense considering his goalscoring prowess but why then
spend a world record fee to replace him on the wing if Ronaldo is just going to
be an option up front? If Ronaldo isn't just an option up front and is going to
be first choice, where does that leave Benzema?
Claims that Bale is determined to get CL football seem
to be the driving force behind this deal, however Spurs are probably going to
be in their best position this season to clinch a top four place. The teams
around them have hardly strengthened, while they've brought in 3 top players
including the striker they've needed for the last 3 seasons in Roberto Soldado.
Bale has four years left on his current contract, meaning that Spurs are in
absolutely no position to sell and are under no pressure for funds. With
Ronaldo's deal up in 2 seasons, if he does stay this summer (as expected) next
season would be the best time for Madrid to sell if as expected he doesn't
renew his contract. Bale would come in as a straight replacement after another
season as the big fish at Spurs, while they get the chance to "make it
up" to their fans for the departure of Ronaldo. Spurs then get another
season of one of their best players in history to help them get to the CL,
where they can then attract bigger names to replace Bale once he leaves.
This is all just speculation at the moment anyway, as
Spurs continue to declare that Bale is "not for sale at any price".
For what it's worth, I think Bale stays this year and leaves next summer
regardless of Spurs' participation in the Champions League. Next summer
Manchester United will no doubt be in the race for his signature and Ryan Giggs
will undoubtedly have a say in the transfer, so it won't be as clear cut as
now. Real Madrid will always have their pulling power and with the lure of
replacing the great Ronaldo, it may be enough to lure Bale to Spain.
By @dmf180593
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