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Gareth Bale

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
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He certainly still has the ability. If anything his technical skills have improved. His top speed may have reduced a little but he can still shift, no doubt. He is also quite a lot stronger than he was while at Spurs.

Bale is the only one who can conclusively answer on whether or not he still has the drive. I suspect he'd relish the chance of playing Champions League football against Real and sticking it to them.

Another post earlier in this thread spoke about the fact the total amount of time he has been unavailable due to injury is not as great as many people seem to think. He has had some injuries but has come back strong from them, as far as I can tell.

The CR7 bit isn't really a question, but it wouldn't be particularly fair to speculate about whether other players can replicate his continuously high levels for as long as he has - Ronaldo's athleticism, in particular his cardio, is pretty astounding.

As for Zidane, you'd really have to ask the man himself. It could be a clash of personalities, maybe Bale just doesn't fit the way Zidane wants his team to play. While his opinions on the comparative qualities of players are certainly worth some consideration due to the fact, as you point out, he has won the CL, others should feel free to form their own opinions on a 4-time CL winning player in Bale.
Thanks for thorough explanation...
I guess it would be a clash of personality between GB and ZZ.
One more question if i may: Would he fit in Poch's philosophy?
 

dirtyh

One Skin, two skin.....
Jun 24, 2011
8,629
25,082
I hope bale stays there tbh and just haemorrhages cash from Madrid until his contract expires. After all their dirty tricks in signing him and other players would be sweet seeing some karma. They’re utterly desperate to get rid but hold no cards whatsoever.
 

Tucker

Shitehawk
Jul 15, 2013
31,132
146,028
Thanks for thorough explanation...
I guess it would be a clash of personality between GB and ZZ.
One more question if i may: Would he fit in Poch's philosophy?

I think it’s all to do with money and politics at Real. Their model is to bring in the fresh new hyped up stars, once they are done with them, they get rid. For some reason Bale has never been popular out there, who knows why in the twisted mind of a Real Madrid fan.

As for whether he would fit Poch’s philosophy, it depends on how willing he is to press and run. We know Bale has got bags of energy, strength and pace, he’s more than capable of playing a physical game. Mentality wise, he’s always seemed a quiet and fairly shy guy, he’s never come across as a billy big bollocks. I think he’d fit in with the rest of the squad and definitely pull his weight.

He’d be immense for us if we could make the transfer work. just a matter of finding the right compromise on the financials imo.
 

SpursJord

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2018
183
563
It means nothing but can you believe Skybet have him going to Everton at 6/1 before us at 7/1! Surely even for the money Bale wouldn't entertain this...
 

bomberH

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2005
28,455
168,222
Bale’s agent just gave an interesting interview on SSN. He said basically that it seems ‘Mr Zidane’ doesn’t want him at Madrid so we’ll see. When asked about Utd, he said he’d fit in there but it’s very unlikely he’ll go there. He completely ruled out any loan move to anyone and said it’d have to be an exceptional offer to prise him away from Madrid as he has a lovely life there.
 

Yiddo100

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2019
9,894
52,009
Bale’s agent just gave an interesting interview on SSN. He said basically that it seems ‘Mr Zidane’ doesn’t want him at Madrid so we’ll see. When asked about Utd, he said he’d fit in there but it’s very unlikely he’ll go there. He completely ruled out any loan move to anyone and said it’d have to be an exceptional offer to prise him away from Madrid as he has a lovely life there.
 

easley91

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
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It's the agent putting more pressure on Madrid by saying he loves the life out there (outside of football).
 

Mate

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2006
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Your move Zidane.

Agent has played a blinder here and is seemingly happy to back Bale and let him see out his contract at Madrid.
 

KeithStone

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
194
900
Thanks for thorough explanation...
I guess it would be a clash of personality between GB and ZZ.
One more question if i may: Would he fit in Poch's philosophy?

For me, it was incredible how well Bale responded to the man management of AVB. The arm round the shoulder approach really seemed to inspire and motivate Bale to reach that next level.

I then look at Poch. His man management skills are completely off the charts. Imagine how Bale could react to that affection and attention from his manager. Especially coming from Madrid where he hasn’t gotten much of that at all.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
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Pay off it is then. Madrid will have to buckle in the end and cut their losses.

I guess right now Madrid will try and act like he has a high price on his head in case they can do a part-ex with him.
 

KeithStone

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
194
900
Pay off it is then. Madrid will have to buckle in the end and cut their losses.

I guess right now Madrid will try and act like he has a high price on his head in case they can do a part-ex with him.

That’s the bit I’m not sure about. And this is based on absolutely nothing but opinion, of course. But Why would they have to cut their losses? It’s Real Madrid. They’re one of the very few clubs in the world who can absorb another Winston Bogarde situation. They don’t need to sell to buy, do they? And given that they don’t - and that they have their fans completely onside when it comes to Bale - they have no reason to sell him. Unfortunately, I think they’re able to let him play golf.
 

doctor stefan Freud

the tired tread of sad biology
Sep 2, 2013
15,170
72,169
For me, it was incredible how well Bale responded to the man management of AVB. The arm round the shoulder approach really seemed to inspire and motivate Bale to reach that next level.

I then look at Poch. His man management skills are completely off the charts. Imagine how Bale could react to that affection and attention from his manager. Especially coming from Madrid where he hasn’t gotten much of that at all.
Whereas Zidane is likely to nut you in the chest if you get anywhere near to pissing him off
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
That’s the bit I’m not sure about. And this is based on absolutely nothing but opinion, of course. But Why would they have to cut their losses? It’s Real Madrid. They’re one of the very few clubs in the world who can absorb another Winston Bogarde situation. They don’t need to sell to buy, do they? And given that they don’t - and that they have their fans completely onside when it comes to Bale - they have no reason to sell him. Unfortunately, I think they’re able to let him play golf.

Possibly, but we are talking about £34m+ a year here (for 3 years!) even Madrid would want to avoid a situation like that. Zidane seems dead set on freezing him out too.
 

BillyWhizz

SC Supporter
Nov 16, 2006
1,179
888
Pay off it is then. Madrid will have to buckle in the end and cut their losses.

I guess right now Madrid will try and act like he has a high price on his head in case they can do a part-ex with him.

It's well reported in Spain that Real need to sell to comply with FFP, paying him off would not help that. I hope he stays as they're also linked with Ndombele but won't sign him until they shift some players.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
It's well reported in Spain that Real need to sell to comply with FFP, paying him off would not help that. I hope he stays as they're also linked with Ndombele but won't sign him until they shift some players.

Madrid are good at getting mystery income but getting another club to pay a transfer fee for Bale AND take on his wages would be their greatest trick yet.

Barnett knows this and it seems like he is making things as hard as possible for Madrid.
 

Mckenna88

Active Member
Jan 28, 2011
67
173
Fair play to his agent, clearly looking out for his client and not looking to just line his pockets with a massive transfer fee.
 
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