Wales manager Chris Coleman has said he will speak to new Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez about Gareth Bale to ensure there are no club vs country rows.
The new Los Blancos boss is keen to build his team around the former Tottenham Hotspur man, while the 25-year-old is the key player in the Wales team looking to qualify for the European Championship next summer.
Speaking ahead of the Welsh game against Belgium on Friday, Coleman said he would speak to Benitez and make sure a common sense approach is taken so all parties are happy and he can perform at his best for Real and his country.
“I know Rafa. We have a pro licence in Wales and I sat in once or twice and listened to him talk. He wants to build around Gareth, which is great. I am looking forward to having a conversation with him. He needs to know what we do – we did the same with Carlo Ancelotti – just to give them some reassurance on how we do things,” he stated.
He went on to talk about Bale’s form compared to Eden Hazard. The pair had almost identical stats last season in terms of goals and assists. But while Bale was fiercely criticised, and even had his car attacked by ‘fans’, Hazard was picking up personal accolades left, right and centre.
“Look at the stats, they were very similar, although Bale has had heavy criticism in Spain and Hazard has been the best player here and rightly so. It goes to show. The league in Spain is physically and tactically different but at Madrid you have to win and with style. They are not called Galacticos for nothing – they expect excellence. Bale knew that before he walked in. But I don’t see him screaming that he wants to leave,” Coleman commented.
