Spurs winger Gareth Bale has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks following an outstanding season with the North London club.
The Welsh Wizard scored 26 goals in 44 appearances for Spurs, and his sensational form throughout the campaign saw him pick up the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now the close season is upon us, Real Madrid have upped the ante in their attempts to sign him, with a number of players and club officials making loud noises in the press about why the 23-year-old should sign for Los Blancos.
And that’s a question I’m going to look at now – as Madrid prepare a reported 85 million euro offer for the star – what would he bring to this Madrid side? And why would the Spanish capital be best for him.
Why Gareth Bale should move to Real Madrid:
It’s a well-known fact that the Welshman wants to test himself at the highest level – and at Real Madrid this is arguably no bigger stage on which to play.
He made a breakthrough at Southampton, and over the last few years has gradually moved through the gears at Spurs to become one of the biggest names in the Premier League. Without the chance of playing Champions League football, and not being at a club that can realistically compete for the league, maybe it’s time to move to the next level.
Should he complete a transfer to the Bernabeu, Bale will be guaranteed Champions League football. Not only that, but with the club desperate to land La Decima, he will have the pressure that goes alongside that – and be able to prove himself amongst the footballing elite. He’ll also be in with a real shout of winning regular titles and competing with Catalan giants Barcelona.
As well as being in with a shout of winning silverware, Bale could also see a move to Madrid as a challenge to prove that British players can succeed abroad. Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, and David Beckham proved themselves in Madrid, while Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate were other Brits who had a largely indifferent experience in Spain.
The examples of successful Brits abroad are relatively few and far between. In wearing possibly the most famous shirt in world football, Bale could go down as one of the greats if he succeeds.
Why Real Madrid need Gareth Bale:
Having lost out to Barcelona in La Liga this year and falling at the semi-final stage of the Champions League, Los Blancos need to do some strengthening to do this summer.
Pairing Cristiano Ronaldo with Gareth Bale would create possible the most feared wingers in European football. Signing a top quality centre forward to go alongside them, and Real Madrid would be close to unstoppable when attacking.
At times this season, Real Madrid have struggled to turn on the magic. In the big games, if Ronaldo fails to perform, then the side struggles as a whole.
Bale has the ability to score out of nothing – he notched nine goals from outside the box this campaign – the highest in Europe. Having him in the team would perhaps relieve some of the pressure on Ronaldo and allow him and the team to play a more expansive and relaxed game.
Bale needs Madrid, and Madrid needs Bale. And with the wheels in motion, it won’t be long until the two are together.
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