Long-time Manchester United target Gareth Bale is determined to prove his worth at the Santiago Bernabeu – instead of making a return to the Premier League.
The Welshman has made 29 appearances so far this season in La Liga, scoring 13 goals and assisting eight – but Madrid fans are vociferously unhappy with him. Bale was notably played out of the game by Juventus on Tuesday night, and this season his presence in the biggest of games has been questioned.
Wind the clocks back to last season, though, and Bale was scoring crucial goals in the Copa Del Rey final, Champions League final and La Liga – so is the heavy criticism justified? Bale himself has acknowledged that he hasn’t been playing up to standard; but he’s not playing badly.
It is clear that Bale flourishes most when he is the “main man” in a team. He was the driving force behind Tottenham Hotspur and is the focal point of the Welsh national side, alongside Aaron Ramsey. At Real Madrid, he is in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo – as most players would be.
Niggling injuries this season haven’t helped his case either – so he is determined to remain in Spain for at least one more season and prove his worth to Carlo Ancelotti.
One thing that must be a source of comfort to Bale is that nobody is exempt from the fury of the Bernabeu when things aren’t going Madrid’s way – even Ronaldo went through a spell of abuse from the fans this season, and club legend Iker Casillas was torn apart by them last season – only to come back stronger this term.
At Manchester United, Bale would be the main man that he so desperately wants to be at Madrid – the Old Trafford fans wouldn’t be as critical, either. However, he said of his move to Madrid in 2013 that it was a dream for him, and whilst Old Trafford is never a step down for any player, it is understandable that Bale wants to make more of himself in Spain before any potential move away.
Manchester City and Chelsea are both also interested in signing Bale, but Financial Fair Play regulations would make it much more difficult for City to get hold of him anyway, specifically this summer. Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent has said that “He is 100% focussed on Real Madrid”.
“Why should we take any notice of comments from people who don’t know what they are talking about – and from people who have failed in management? – This is only an issue in England. Gareth is at the biggest club in the world. He is one of the best players in the world. He is fine”.
It would be a dream to see Bale line up alongside Angel Di Maria and Wayne Rooney under the lights at Old Trafford, but it appears we may have to wait longer for a shot at that. Especially if Madrid fight back against Juventus next week and seal their chance to be the first club to win back-to-back Champions League titles.
That said, it would not be surprising to see a bid come in from Louis van Gaal to test the resolve of both Madrid and Bale this summer.
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