Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine when football returns

Real Madrid RW Gareth Bale

Real Madrid won’t be able to sell Gareth Bale until the summer 2020 transfer window, and while they want to remove his wages from their budget, it’s doubtful they can find a suitor. They will run into the same problems they did in 2019, as the market is even more difficult now due to COVID-19. But maybe Newcastle can throw them an offer.

In any case, Bale’s best bet is staying in Madrid, which appears to be his preference. The fans can whistle him, but he remains satisfied with his situation at the club. Real Madrid, however, need far more from Bale, and his wages only make his lack of production stand out even more.

Bale’s quality is still there. His outside-the-boot pass against Granada and brace against Villarreal were glimpses of the quality that remains. Nobody can doubt Bale physically. He is a tremendous athlete with spellbinding explosiveness and great strength on the ball. The technique has never left either.

What Bale needs is support, a clear mind, and consistent health. He’s been dealt a bad hand recently, getting hit hard by the injury bug. Perhaps Bale can get back on track for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season and prove he still has value to Los Blancos. The club needs him to lock down that right wing spot again and score goals.