Could Gareth Bale be on his way out at Real Madrid?
By Alex McVey
Reports suggest that Real Madrid are ready to part ways with Gareth Bale this summer. Could Bale be set for a Madrid exit?
Zinedine Zidane shocked the world by leaving Gareth Bale on the bench both in the first leg against PSG and in the midweek La Liga fixture against Leganes. Bale, when healthy, has been one of Madrid’s main contributors in attack, so it was certainly confusing to see his name left off of the starting XI in these fixtures.
There are at least two different ways to read Zidane’s puzzling choice. First, Zidane could be taking extra precautions with the Welshman ahead of Madrid’s away leg at PSG. Bale has struggled with injury issues this season, so Zidane could just be hoping to keep him fresh for the match that will ultimately decide whether Madrid continues on in the Champions League.
Or, the alternate explanation, that Zidane and club President Florentino Perez have finally decided to part ways with Bale, and are benching him to signal their intentions for a post-Bale Real Madrid. Carlos Carpio of Marca seems to think that it is the latter, writing that “the reality is that Real Madrid have decided to put the Welshman up for sale at the end of the season.”
Carpio points to recent statements by Bale’s agent about his worth being the same as Neymar’s price tag from his move to PSG as evidence that Bale is indeed on the market. Additionally, Asensio is seen as a natural replacement for Bale, the next big thing for Real Madrid.
Personally, I think it would be a shame to let Bale go. I’ve written before about why I think it would be a mistake to let Bale go. And while his recent run of injuries has left me more uncertain about Bale’s future at Madrid, I still think it would be premature to let Bale leave.
Real Madrid do seem ripe for some wholesale changes. Even with the recent surprise upturn in form, this has been an undeniably awful season for Madrid both in the league and in the Copa del Rey. Los Blancos haven’t been scoring like they used to, and it does appear that Madrid could use some fresh blood.
But is Bale the best candidate for a sale? Ronaldo also enjoyed a poor start to his campaign. And Benzema’s finishing has been sub-par this year. Bale, when healthy, has oscillated between scintillating form and invisible performances. I would like to see Bale given another opportunity, especially if he is given more freedom in attack.
Next: Pogba to Madrid? The rumors are ridiculous.
Honestly, who the heck knows what Madrid will do this summer? At this point, I would be just as surprised if the whole BBC was shipped out as I would if they were all kept on the roster. For now, it seems that Bale is going to have to fight for his future at Real Madrid. Let’s see if Zidane gives him the opportunity to do so.