Real Madrid: Why Gareth Bale isn’t going anywhere this winter

Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale has been linked to moves to Manchester United and Tottenham, but here’s why fans shouldn’t expect any deal to happen.

As a whole, it’s highly unlikely for Real Madrid to sell any players this winter. Teams that have a chance at winning both the Champions League title and their league title at the season’s midway point generally don’t part ways with quality contributors, and as much as Madridistas have been disappointed with Gareth Bale’s performances this season, he is still an important piece to the puzzle.

Bale hasn’t looked like a superstar this season. It’s best to admit that up front and not delude ourselves with undeserved positivity. The Wales international should not receive the hate he does from the fan base, but it is true that he has been below his high standards. Bale is only averaging about one dribble, one key pass, and 0.5 fouls drawn per game, per WhoScored.com.

But remember, when we talk about Bale, we are comparing him to his high standards. By the standards of any average forward in La Liga, Bale has been decent this season. He’s scored two goals, recorded two assists, and has had a couple of positive substitute appearances in the midst of raucous boos from the home crowd.

There is room for Bale to improve, but there is absolutely no need to sell him. Real Madrid would be lucky to receive a fair offer for the 30-year-old from any team, including the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League. Several player swaps have been suggested, but none of them seem realistic. Christian Eriksen and cash? Don’t count on it.

If Bale were to be sold by Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane’s depth out wide would suffer significantly. Isco has shown he can play on the wings in a floating creative role, but Real would be reduced to Lucas Vazquez, Brahim Diaz, and Rodrygo as their main wingers. Only one of those players, Rodrygo, can be trusted against top competition.

But Rodrygo is also only 18 years old. If he’s the best option with Vazquez as the most experienced backup, then Real have depth problems. As this season’s mounting injuries have shown Madridistas, the last thing Zidane can afford in his squad is depth problems, especially since the back half of the campaign will be even tougher.

Fans are bullish on Real’s Champions League hopes due to their depth and expected improved health and overall play from January to May. Selling Bale goes against that, though, because it would harm Real’s depth and deprive Zidane of a potential bounce-back from a world-class player

Make no mistake. Bale still has world-class explosiveness, finishing, and technical quality. At some point, he’ll have to show it or Real will have to move on, but that’s a problem for summer 2020. At the winter transfer period, Real have to focus on themselves, getting healthy, and producing their best quality work in the second half of the season.