" Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

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" Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:00 pm

Boos, abuse and breaking point: Gareth Bale's time at Real Madrid could now be up -



Gareth Bale is facing fierce criticism

Monday 5th November 2018



By Paul Abdanatto



Gareth Bale leaving Real Madrid to return to the Premier League has become a transfer cliche every January and each summer.

There is always a mound of speculation. Then the inevitable happens and he stays with Real Madrid.


Why would you wish to leave the biggest club on the planet and perhaps the best team in the world?



Through the thousands of words written, and the millions of opinions voiced, the Bale backers - and I openly admit to being in that camp - have stuck by him through thick and thin and willed him to stay and succeed out in Spain.

But it seems even a Champions League final stunner against Liverpool, to go with another versus Atletico Madrid, and an excellent goal ratio over six years in Real Madrid colours will never be enough to win over the doubters.

He was jeered by his own fans, not for the first time, when being substituted against Real Valladolid on Saturday.




It may be that at 29 years of age, the time is approaching for Bale to cut his losses and come home. And that might need to be with immediate effect, ie in the new year transfer window, following the most recent bout of criticism he has had to endure.

Bale's brilliance would enhance every single one of the big six and, in some cases, could prove the difference between winning trophies or not.




THE FRESH BOOS AND CURRENT RECORD

Bale came under fire from Real's supporters during the 2-0 La Liga victory over Valladolid, jeers ringing out around the Bernabeu when he was substituted by stand-in manager Santiago Scolari on 71 minutes. Real's two goals came after he had left the pitch and he was subject to fierce criticism in the Madrid-based media afterwards.

Other players were given latitude because of tiredness following their World Cup exploits, but Bale was not afforded that given Wales' failure to get to Russia.

This came just days after Bale had been voted by fans as Real's worst performer this season in a poll run by Marca.

Bale wouldn't have achieved what he has done in football had he not possessed mental strength to go with his undoubted talent. But sometimes you can reach breaking points and he must be close to arriving at his.

Of the 13 matches Bale has played for Real this season, he has been afforded 90 minute appearances just three times. It hasn't helped those each culminated in heavy defeats to Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona.

This uncertainly and lack of confidence in his ability to sustain form over the full match must play on Bale's mind and have a demoralising effect. He is only human, remember, despite some of us thinking he should have been wearing a cape at times out on the pitch given what he has achieved with Wales.

Everything with club is in complete contrast to country, where Bale knows he is the talisman and loved by the public. The fact he performs so admirably in the red of Wales can't just be coincidence, can it?

I fully appreciate Real Madrid possess much better players than Wales, but surely that should help, rather than hinder, Bale.






THE RECORD IN SPAIN

These are the simple facts. Bale has scored 92 goals in 208 Real Madrid appearances, pretty much one every two matches.

That's a pretty phenomenal ratio for any footballer, unless your name is Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Those two have taken modern-day goalscoring to freakish levels.

Amongst those Bale goals were Champions League winning efforts versus Atletico Madrid and Liverpool and a Spanish cup final stunner against Barcelona.

Whilst doing that, he has also smashed Ian Rush's Wales scoring record with 30 goals in 72 international appearances.

Throw in too many assists to count and those figures are hugely impressive.






THE RONALDO QUESTION

Bale, of course, has been in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo during his time with Madrid and that hasn't changed, even though the Portuguese superstar left for Juventus in the summer.

While Ronaldo reigned in Spain, the team was rightly built around him.

Ronaldo's departure was meant to pave the way for Bale to take over as kingpin, this was his big opportunity.

It may still happen, but the trouble is Ronaldo set ridiculously high standards that are impossible for anybody else to attain. Bale can't reach those levels, it's unfair to expect him to, but some may still judge him by them as Real's supposed new mega-star.

We hoped Ronaldo going would pave the way for Bale to go to another level with Real Madrid. However, the more time passes, the more it's becoming clear there's only one Cristiano Ronaldo.




THE CONTRACT SITUATION AND EYE-OPENING BUYOUT CLAUSE

This is where a move back to the Premier League complicates things. Bale signed a new six-year Real Madrid deal just after Euro 2016 which is worth a reputed £350,000 a week after tax.

There is also said to be a £900million buyout clause in his contract. Yes, that's £900million - which is plainly too ridiculous for words because no club on earth would pay anything remotely resembling that.

If Bale asks for a transfer, Real would lower that fee. But what would Gareth Bale be worth in his 30th year? Some reckon £100m, others argue half that figure.

Judge as you see fit, but clearly the price tag would become a major sticking point. However, there is little doubt he could instantly improve the title prospects of many Premier League clubs.





MANCHESTER UNITED

If Bale does decide to leave, this is the most likely destination given it has been touted so much. Jose Mourinho loves him, could afford him.

Mourinho bought Alexis Sanchez, but he hasn't even been playing. Anthony Martial was previously ostracised, we've seen Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard chosen on the wing.

Mourinho knows Bale is a better option than any of those and could provide the pace, power and go forward that has been sorely missing at times.

You could argue Mourinho's negative tactics would negate Bale. But Chris Coleman was defensive with Wales for the most part - and we know what Bale has done for his country.

Bale's work-rate, proven with Wales, would be right up Mourinho's street.





MANCHESTER CITY

The champions don't get mentioned as often with Bale, but why not?

Surely he's a better option than Raheem Sterling or even the superb Riyad Mahrez.

Pep Guardiola already has a team likely to land the title, but signing Bale would enhance those prospects two-fold. By making City's own team stronger, but also ensuring their main rivals don't close the gap by landing Bale themselves.

Man City's fans don't seem to covet the UEFA Champions League as much as other sides, but Bale's success in club football's biggest tournament indicates he could take Pep's prospects of conquering Europe to another level.





LIVERPOOL

They already have Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for the wide berths, players who are each three years younger than Bale.

But neither of those are better footballers than Bale at his best - and I speak as a huge admirer of the two Reds aces, in particular Salah.

Would Bale's injury-record enable him to perform effectively in a Jurgen Klopp side that plays every match at 100 miles per hour?

Qestionable. On the other hand, he could be the new dimension that hands Liverpool the title for the first time in almost 30 years.




CHELSEA

The talk is that Bale could go to Stamford Bridge, with Eden Hazard moving in the other direction.

Where that leaves any cash balance is anybody's guess, for these are two true world class and match-winning talents.

Might this happen? It's a definite possibility.





ARSENAL

Bale would obviously improve Unai Emery's side, but why would he wish to go there at the moment? They remain behind the other clubs chasing for the title and he's better than that.







TOTTENHAM

Spurs' shrewd boss Daniel Levy inserted a clause in Bale's original Real contract ensuring he had first bite at re-signing the Welshman, should he return to the Premier League.

Tottenham are the nearly men under Mauricio Pochettino, a team with real talents, yet unable to get over the trophy-winning line.

They have the best defence in the Premier League, the best goalscorer in Harry Kane, France's World Cup winning captain in goal, an excellent playmaker in Christian Eriksen. Dele Alli is meant to be amongst the finest young talents in Europe, the midfield is combative.

What they lack is a true world-class cutting edge out wide, someone to provide the pace, power and goals - be they direct, or in the form of assists.

Somebody like Gareth Bale is exactly what Tottenham need to actually begin winning cups. Whether he'd want to return there is another matter entirely.
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" Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

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Re: " Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:00 pm

WHERE THIS LEAVE WALES

The Nations League is not a competition that has engaged the British public at large, although England's thrilling win in Spain and a young Wales side's triumph in Ireland last month redressed that balance a little.

But Wales have a big game looming in the competition against Denmark on Friday week that will determine who tops the group and Ryan Giggs has unexpected issues with his two main players to deal with.

Aaron Ramsey's contract situation with Arsenal appears to have lost him a first-team place, while Bale will come to Cardiff in need of a confidence boost and much-needed love.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey love Wales... and the love they receive from the people


At least he knows he is guaranteed that here and the Welsh nation will put a proverbial arm around him.

He also knows he has a manager in Giggs who retains 100 per cent confidence in his talisman and will unleash the shackles by just telling Bale to go out and win the game for Wales.

So what's happening with Real Madrid should not have any bearing on Bale's Wales form. If anything, he should flourish knowing he has a nation fully behind him.





CONCLUSION - DOES BALE STAY OR GO?

Previously, I've always been of the view he should stay. However, Bale needs to be playing regular 90-minute football - and enjoying it - and there's no sign of that happening with Real Madrid.

You don't see Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar or Hazard being substituted the whole time.

Things change quickly in football and a few match-winning performances in the next few matches - each eminently winnable games - could change perceptions amongst the Spanish critics.

But there is a certain level of expectation in a Real Madrid shirt and many fans feel, rightly or wrongly, Bale is not meeting that.

Ryan Giggs will give Bale his full support
Bale will feel a lot of the criticism is over the top, but it may also be getting to the point of no return.

Bale has the goal-getting ability, power, pace, aerial threat and work-rate to improve any team in the world.

If Real Madrid don't recognise that, perhaps Bale's future is back in the Premier League where he would undoubtedly be cherished by whichever club he joined.
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Re: " Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

Postby Tuna Pasta Bake » Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:36 pm

Real Madrid: has to be said they must have a fair number of spoilt over-indulged supporters. What the hell have they got to whinge about!? They should be immensely grateful for Bales contribution to their recent achievements.
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Re: " Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

Postby Forever Blue » Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:43 pm

Giggs on the stick Real Madrid fans are giving Bale

Gareth Bale is reaching breaking point at Real Madrid.

This is what Ryan Giggs makes of the situation:


RYAN GIGGS:

"I’ve not seen many of the games in La Liga as they’re not on Sky anymore! But we’re talking about a world class player that never lets his country down."


"I don’t think he needs help. He’s had five years there - I had (flak) at United. You’re under that scrutiny all the time. He likes that he was with us more or less the whole time in the last camp. I know he can’t wait to join up with the lads and start playing again."


"He’s an experienced player. He’s been there and he’s probably experienced most things as a player being at a club like Real he’s probably seen everything. I don’t expect Gareth to turn up with any other sort of mood than he would have done in the past."
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Re: " Boos, abuse and breaking point: "

Postby Tuna Pasta Bake » Tue Nov 06, 2018 6:07 pm

Yes - for a multi-millionaire Bale is a down to earth bloke who enjoys being with his mates and in his homeland. Pity he's under appreciated in Spain.
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