Real Madrid assistant manager Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale will overcome a difficult start to life in Spain to be a hit at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bale moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Blancos in a 91 million euro deal on transfer deadline day at the end of the summer, but has been hampered by injury so far this season. He scored a goal on his debut at Villarreal but has made just three appearances for his new side having been troubled with a thigh problem. He also missed a large part of pre-season with a foot injury.
Such an injury record has already lead to some sections of the Madrid press and Real Madrid faithful to question the club’s decision to invest so much in the Welshman, and doubts have already risen over whether Bale will settle in the Spanish capital.
But Zidane, a World Cup and Champions League winner in his time as a player, urged people to have patience with Bale, saying the 24-year-old will come good.
“He’s well integrated at the club and everyone has received him very well,” he said. Zidane added: “He was lacking a bit of physical preparation when he arrived so it has been a bit delicate in the beginning with his physical state.
“The only thing that is lacking with his condition is that he hasn’t trained enough with the rest of the team. He has a lot of willpower and he will be ready soon.”
