3 Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale is still better than

ST Luka Jovic

Although Luka Jovic and Gareth Bale play different positions, we did see Bale operate as a false nine in one match this season. And if we are looking at all forwards, it is totally fair game to say that Bale offers more to the team than Jovic.

It’s not that Jovic is a bad player. Far from it. But the problem is he does not fit the way Real Madrid want to play. They want their No. 9 to be more active and facilitate chance-creation, in addition to tracking back and pressing. Jovic can score and assist, but his all-around game is lacking and quite static.

Bale actually offers more in this role than Jovic, as we saw. But more appropriately, Bale fits what Real Madrid want in a right winger more than Jovic fits as a striker. He can cut inside on his left, he can score, he can assist, he is a more capable defensive presence than several of his peers on this list, and he has the extra factor of understanding the club’s identity.

In many ways, Bale brings assets as a veteran with four Champions League titles to his name that the other players on the squad just cannot. And you have to wonder if Real could do a better job of taking advantage of those positives or wiping the slate clean after a few acrimonious years in the club/player relationship.