Now that the saga of the summer has finally reached a climax, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. With it looking incredibly unlikely Suarez or Rooney will be going any where as well, Jim White might be scrapping the bottom of the butter on transfer deadline day for Sky Sports News. Gareth Bale has at last completed his dream move to Real Madrid for a reported 100 Million euros, making him the most expensive player in history. It looks like the last major move of the summer window is done, and how grateful we all are it can be put to bed. But what now for the welsh wonder?
Firstly Tottenham. Spurs appear like they’ll be just fine without Bale. Despite losing to Arsenal they have started the season positively if not electrifying to watch. A couple of workman like wins at least is a stable platform to build from. With a raft of exciting young talent already acquired its a matter of time before they gel and really hit their stride. AVB is intelligent and tactically astute enough to mould this group into a genuine threat too all of last years top four. Especially with the managerial musical chairs that’s occurred. Daniel Levy is not shy of a last minute deal so a new face of two also wouldn’t be a major shock.
And now Madrid. The first question that springs to mind is, how will señor Bale fit into the Galactico hangover that is modern day Real Madrid. Although the days of Figo, Ronaldo (Brazilian), Zidane and Beckham are gone, The Whites are still brimming with world class talent, and you would expect nothing less from one of the biggest clubs in the world. Notable exitees Higuain and now Kaka leave vacancy’s in Madrid’s frontline, and with only one proven out and out striker remaining in Benzema, Bale’s introduction to the first team may be simpler than it first appeared. It’s looking more and more likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will be deployed in a more central role as a forward than his more natural wider position. This leaves plenty of room to accommodate Bale and Di Maria and still leaves Ozil or Modric in the false 9, attacking midfield role. Isco has already staked a claim for first team football, and Morata is also showing the potential of a top European striker, but neither of these really threaten the position Bale traditionally occupies. Whispers of Ozil’s departure comes as a surprise. The capture of Bale signals Real’s desire to once again show their power at capturing the best talent in the word and Ozil certainly falls into that category, but it remains to be seen if it transpires.
Whether or not Gareth Bale is worth the price tag bestowed on him could be debated until the end of time. Big players such as Cavani, Falcao, Gotze, Thiago and Tevez have all moved clubs and all for a fraction of Bale’s fee. To say each of those players is only a fraction the player of Bale is to do them each a massive disservice. But when Galatico’s are concerned, it’s not the value of the player Madrid pay, but the value of the statement they want to make.
RG
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