The Welshman has been heavily linked to the Castillian side, after a fine display this season. His former teammate Luka Modric, has encouraged Bale to join him at the Bernabeu. But can Bale unlike the Croatian establish himself as a first team regular at Madrid?
The former Southampton product has been in emphatic form this season, scoring 16 goals from 26 appearances. He grew to prominence after former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, decided to play him up the field as a winger. The 23 year old has been a revelation since then, such were his performances that in 2010/2011 he was voted by his fellow professionals as the PFA Player of the Year.
His performances have impressed a number of elite clubs, who are likely to be involved in a bid war in order to obtain his services. But recent speculation has linked him more strongly to Real Madrid, who are believed to have labelled Gareth Bale as their prime target. But can Bale really break into the first team, lets take a look at the possible roles he can play in the team.
ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT THREE
The position is currently occupied by Portuguese Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and whereas Bale might be one of the best left wingers in the world, Ronaldo is definitely the best left winger in the world. There is no argument to the fact, that it is virtually impossible for Bale to displace the former Manchester United man. Mourinho will neither be willing to switch his star man to the right side, given his effectiveness on the left as an inside forward.
However if Ronaldo decides to leave Madrid by the end of the season, Can Gareth Bale be the man to replace him?
The answer once again is no. While Bale is a brilliant player, the question still remains whether he is good enough to be Madrid’s main man. To begin with Ronaldo is a player, who gives his team 50 plus goals a season, if Madrid have to replace him they have to replace the goals too and it is unlikely that Bale can match those numbers. While Bale has a tendency to stick more to the left side of the pitch, Ronaldo is a free flowing goal machine. He often cuts inside to the middle, to seek goal scoring opportunities or switches with Angel Di Maria to move to the right side where he is equally threatening.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT THREE
On the right side Madrid have Angel Di Maria and Jose Callejon competing for the same position. While Bale might have the talents to put up a better display than Callejon, he will find it difficult to compete for his place against Di Maria. The Argentinean is an excellent all rounder and apart from his excellent dribbling skills, he is a wonderful passer of the ball and on the whole adds to the team more than Bale can. To top it all he has been a highly consistent performer for his side since he joined them in 2010 and is unlikely to be threatened by a new comer.
As for Bale, he himself is uncomfortable playing on the right and has not experienced much delight in the position. On one occasion ex Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp reiterated, how one of Bale’s worst performance in a Spurs shirt came when he was played on the right in a match against Everton. He occasionally tries to baffle defences by switching flanks with Lennon, however he remains very ineffective on the right and will find it very difficult to displace the excellent Angel Di Maria.
LEFT BACK
At left back Gareth Bale will face competition from arguably two of the best full backs in the world. While Marcelo was chosen as the best left back in Europe last season, earning himself a spot in the FIFA team of the year 2012, his competition Fabio Coentrao himself is a star performer. It is important to remember that Coentrao was signed for a hefty fee and is highly rated by Real Madrid supremo Jose Mourinho. Madrid will thus be unwilling to further strengthen the left back position.
Apart from the stiff competition he will have to face, Gareth Bale is not really an established full back. Before moving high up the field Bale used to operate as a left back and was highly uninspiring in the position. It is unlikely that the Welshman will be played, in an awkward position at one of the best clubs in the world.
VERDICT
Bale does not seem to be a perfect fit at Real Madrid and will find it very difficult to make it to the first team. It will be a pity if such an extraordinary talent is not regularly played and made to warm the benches. For now it is best for Bale to enjoy his time in London and wait for the right time to make his move to Madrid. He can perhaps easily establish himself as a first team regular in many other teams including Manchester United, but at Madrid it might currently be impossible for him to do so.
His performances have impressed a number of elite clubs, who are likely to be involved in a bid war in order to obtain his services. But recent speculation has linked him more strongly to Real Madrid, who are believed to have labelled Gareth Bale as their prime target. But can Bale really break into the first team, lets take a look at the possible roles he can play in the team.
ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT THREE
The position is currently occupied by Portuguese Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and whereas Bale might be one of the best left wingers in the world, Ronaldo is definitely the best left winger in the world. There is no argument to the fact, that it is virtually impossible for Bale to displace the former Manchester United man. Mourinho will neither be willing to switch his star man to the right side, given his effectiveness on the left as an inside forward.
However if Ronaldo decides to leave Madrid by the end of the season, Can Gareth Bale be the man to replace him?
The answer once again is no. While Bale is a brilliant player, the question still remains whether he is good enough to be Madrid’s main man. To begin with Ronaldo is a player, who gives his team 50 plus goals a season, if Madrid have to replace him they have to replace the goals too and it is unlikely that Bale can match those numbers. While Bale has a tendency to stick more to the left side of the pitch, Ronaldo is a free flowing goal machine. He often cuts inside to the middle, to seek goal scoring opportunities or switches with Angel Di Maria to move to the right side where he is equally threatening.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT THREE
On the right side Madrid have Angel Di Maria and Jose Callejon competing for the same position. While Bale might have the talents to put up a better display than Callejon, he will find it difficult to compete for his place against Di Maria. The Argentinean is an excellent all rounder and apart from his excellent dribbling skills, he is a wonderful passer of the ball and on the whole adds to the team more than Bale can. To top it all he has been a highly consistent performer for his side since he joined them in 2010 and is unlikely to be threatened by a new comer.
As for Bale, he himself is uncomfortable playing on the right and has not experienced much delight in the position. On one occasion ex Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp reiterated, how one of Bale’s worst performance in a Spurs shirt came when he was played on the right in a match against Everton. He occasionally tries to baffle defences by switching flanks with Lennon, however he remains very ineffective on the right and will find it very difficult to displace the excellent Angel Di Maria.
LEFT BACK
At left back Gareth Bale will face competition from arguably two of the best full backs in the world. While Marcelo was chosen as the best left back in Europe last season, earning himself a spot in the FIFA team of the year 2012, his competition Fabio Coentrao himself is a star performer. It is important to remember that Coentrao was signed for a hefty fee and is highly rated by Real Madrid supremo Jose Mourinho. Madrid will thus be unwilling to further strengthen the left back position.
Apart from the stiff competition he will have to face, Gareth Bale is not really an established full back. Before moving high up the field Bale used to operate as a left back and was highly uninspiring in the position. It is unlikely that the Welshman will be played, in an awkward position at one of the best clubs in the world.
VERDICT
Bale does not seem to be a perfect fit at Real Madrid and will find it very difficult to make it to the first team. It will be a pity if such an extraordinary talent is not regularly played and made to warm the benches. For now it is best for Bale to enjoy his time in London and wait for the right time to make his move to Madrid. He can perhaps easily establish himself as a first team regular in many other teams including Manchester United, but at Madrid it might currently be impossible for him to do so.
