What next for Gareth Bale?
Oh, Gareth…
You have to appreciate the transparency from Bale, which is so refreshing in itself - especially in the modern game.
But it’s not helped his cause in any way, shape or form.
Ahead of the international break, Bale said this:
“OBVIOUSLY, I CAME TO SPURS THIS YEAR BECAUSE I WANTED TO PLAY FOOTBALL FIRST AND FOREMOST BUT GOING INTO THE EUROS I WANTED TO BE MATCH FIT.”
Essentially, Bale admitted his prime intention for joining Spurs on-loan.
He came back to Spurs to gain regular game-time in order to get fit again for the upcoming Euro’s.
Whilst this is understandable to one side of the Spurs fanbase, it has caused quite a stir among the other half.
This side of the fanbase are questioning his intentions as they feel their club has been used and, like many, cannot contemplate why Bale is so desperate to return to Real Madrid - the club who stagnated his career in the first place.
They’re right in doing so too.
What has changed since Bale left Real Madrid? Yes he’s shown he can still kick it with the best in terms of the stats he’s accumulated in such little game-time, but his heart doesn’t seem to be in it - not as much as it was.
Of course, this could be down to the success he’s achieved.
Winning the Champions League a whopping four times with Madrid is an emphatic feat - 3 of which in a row.
Bale has proven himself as a superstar and may feel that he’s completed what he set out to achieve.
Ambition
In terms of ambition, at club level at least, this doesn’t bode well.
When Zidane decided that Bale did not fit into his plans and cast him aside, he drastically struggled for game-time. So too did a certain Jesse Lingard, who found himself in a similar situation at Manchester United.
The reason I bring this up is due to the similarity in situation, yet such different approach.
Essentially, Jesse demonstrated his desire to get back to his best by keeping his fitness up and maintaining sharpness, so that he was instantly available for selection at West Ham.
Gareth Bale unfortunately did the opposite and arrived at Spurs lacking match fitness.
As such, it took a few weeks before we even got to see Bale don the more modernised Spurs shirt to begin his second stint with the North London side.
Has he delivered in expectations since returning to Spurs? Relatively speaking, yes - certainly at times.
Could he have applied himself even more during this career-revival at Spurs? Possibly - most definitely according to Jose Mourinho.
What we cannot say is that Gareth Bale has been a flop, like some Spurs fans are insinuating.
Ultimately, he has contributed with 13 attacking returns in 25 games, which for the game-time he’s had to work with, isn’t bad for a 31-year-old returning to an even tougher Premier League competition.
So What Next?
So what next for Gareth Bale?
Well, as he claimed earlier this week, he plans to see out the campaign with Spurs and return to Real Madrid after the Euro’s finish to see out his final year at the club.
I cannot imagine he will get much game-time at the club who gave up on him, so I believe this decision is completely down to monetary gain.
He’s on a big-bolster deal at Madrid that see’s him take home around £600,000 a week, so the game-time issue may be out-weighed by this.
Ultimately, with how Real Madrid fans have treated Bale and attempted to erase his legacy there, Bale will see this as an opportunity to punish them and the club for treating him so badly.
It may also serve as his last big payout at a major club, as his next club will not be looking to make that same mistake - especially in the COVID-stricken market.
Of course, Bale will be a free agent when he sees our his final year at Madrid, so naturally, there is an array of clubs that he could make the move to.
The Welshman will be 32-years-old at that time, and judging by their recent policy of signing experienced players, it wouldn’t surprise me if an ambitious side like Inter Milan made a move for him.
They already have a ready-made case study in Alexis Sanchez, who has been able to show glimpses of his former self in short bursts at least.
I could also envision a club like Besiktas making a move for Bale, due to the goal threat he possesses.
It’s also worth mentioning the MLS as a potential destination, allowing him to wind down the final years of his career in class, luxury and elegance - especially if he signed for one of the LA sides.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds, I just hope that Bale still has the ambition and love for the game to keep playing.
In my opinion, it would be a travesty if he was to retire after his contract at Madrid expires.