Gareth Bale

[brendanb50]

Spotted in Beijing airport fighting a man with a big beard

Legend

View attachment 36187

The prophecy was true. Bale must return to defeat Man City and return us to glory - Depicted here in his battle with IIkay Gundogan

 

[dagraham]

Be realistic, look at what he's achieved since he left us - he's 100% justified as far as I'm concerned.

Makes me laugh when fans speculate on whether players like Bale made the right move. He's won multiple CL's and a la liga title, playing with world class players every week as opposed to carrying an entire team. Getting paid 2 or 3 times what he would have done at Spurs and in a hot sunny country where they all have a nice little nap in the afternoon.

But is he happy in himself?

 

[bomberH]

Makes me laugh when fans speculate on whether players like Bale made the right move. He's won multiple CL's and a la liga title, playing with world class players every week as opposed to carrying an entire team. In a hot sunny country where they all have a nice little nap in the afternoon.

But is he happy in himself?

There is that and when he’s older he can look back at his medals and be proud. But no one talks about him positively anymore and that must hurt him. Gerrard didn’t win too much throughout his career but he was regarded as a true great every time he walked out on the pitch, even if it sometimes was for 30 seconds against Everton. I bet Bale would love to be spoken about as highly as the top players do but it’s not happening and unlikely to happen while he stays there.

Dare I say it but his last 2 seasons, he’s been more like Wes Brown in the sense that he’s a decent player who’s won lots of shit but more because he plays for a top team as opposed to earning it himself. Even his goals have been pretty straight forward bar literally one or two screamers. Yeah he still assists reasonably well (not yesterday, his crosses never got past the first man). When he was at Spurs, every other goal was a worldie, he was winning us games on his own. At Madrid, he’s just a decent player and nothing more. Their youngsters are coming in and taking his spot.

When he’s 50 and showing his kids his CL medals then I’m sure it would’ve all been worth it for him. But now, while he’s still playing, he really needs to sort himself out if he wants to be considered a true great. Does he have the guts or ambition to make a big move and prove himself all over again? Hopefully. But hopefully not to someone else in the PL!

 

[dagraham]

There is that and when he’s older he can look back at his medals and be proud. But no one talks about him positively anymore and that must hurt him. Gerrard didn’t win too much throughout his career but he was regarded as a true great every time he walked out on the pitch, even if it sometimes was for 30 seconds against Everton. I bet Bale would love to be spoken about as highly as the top players do but it’s not happening and unlikely to happen while he stays there.

Dare I say it but his last 2 seasons, he’s been more like Wes Brown in the sense that he’s a decent player who’s won lots of shit but more because he plays for a top team as opposed to earning it himself. Even his goals have been pretty straight forward bar literally one or two screamers. Yeah he still assists reasonably well (not yesterday, his crosses never got past the first man). When he was at Spurs, every other goal was a worldie, he was winning us games on his own. At Madrid, he’s just a decent player and nothing more. Their youngsters are coming in and taking his spot.

When he’s 50 and showing his kids his CL medals then I’m sure it would’ve all been worth it for him. But now, while he’s still playing, he really needs to sort himself out if he wants to be considered a true great. Does he have the guts or ambition to make a big move and prove himself all over again? Hopefully. But hopefully not to someone else in the PL!

I agree that he probably hasn't produced the kind of standout performances and goals that he did during his last year with us (much like Berbatov didn't during his time at Utd). But he's produced and performed on the biggest stage and in the biggest, most pressurised moments to directly contribute to winning trophies, which is a different kind of performance indicator.

I'm sure he would have liked to continue to star every week whilst doing all this, but the reality is when you go to these team you are inevitably going to go from club star to just one of many great players (Ronaldo and Messi are real exceptions in the modern game).

I think it's a romantic view that players value that more than trophies.

 

[onthetwo]

i watched a bit of the match and thought he looked uncomfortable playing as the main man up top i.e hes not a natural striker such as Harry.
He got his move, we got our money, we're now a much better team than we were so i dont think him returning would make sense for anyone. Just my onion of course.

 

[bomberH]

I agree that he probably hasn't produced the kind of standout performances and goals that he did during his last year with us (much like Berbatov didn't during his time at Utd). But he's produced and performed on the biggest stage and in the biggest, most pressurised moments to directly contribute to winning trophies, which is a different kind of performance indicator.

I'm sure he would have liked to continue to star every week whilst doing all this, but the reality is when you go to these team you are inevitably going to go from club star to just one of many great players (Ronaldo and Messi are real exceptions in the modern game).

I think it's a romantic view that players value that more than trophies.

I don’t think it’s as straight forward a romantic view that performances matter more than medals for individuals while they’re actually playing. if Bale had the same mentality as Ronaldo or Messi etc, he would want to win the Ballon d’Or and be the best he can be week in week out. That’s not happening and reading & hearing constant criticism of himself must affect him as it would affect anyone. He’s supposed to be one of the best players in the world and his write ups over the last 18 months could’ve been for someone like Jonjo Shelvey. An average nobody.

Re the bolded bit, he hasn’t really done that in the last 2 years though. His goal to win their version of the FA cup was amazing and he scored in a CL final, which was great, but he hasn’t done hardly anything of note in the last 2 years. His first 2 seasons were great overall because of the goals and trophies but he’s been given shit from the fans and press since day 1. Even during his second season, which was probably his best (performance wise) the fans have never taken to him. Unlike say, Modric, who was voted their worst ever buy after their first season and ended up being their most important player alongside (if not more so) Ronaldo for the next few years after!

Don’t get me wrong, we all know Madrid fans are ****s on the whole and the press there are ****s but there’s no smoke without fire and for the last 18 months or so, he’s been so horrifically average it’s sad to watch. He should be in his prime. Maybe injuries have taken their toll, maybe he’s never played in his best position, maybe playing with Ronaldo is taking its toll, maybe he’s lost a yard of pace, maybe he’s just not as good as he once was. Whatever the reason, he’s slipping into oblivion as an individual and needs to step out of his comfort zone to try and get back to where he once was. In my opinion of course.

 

[Locotoro]

if we look at him as a player and we disregard the history. Is he good enough? yes definitely. Does he fit into the team? i'm not 100% sure either way. He would play on the left of the front 3 or to the left of the attacking midfield 3 which would be fine. but in terms of style? He doesnt really play the same way that our other pacey options do (Son)

 

[thebenjamin]

Decent article on Bale:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-manchester-united-city-chelsea-a8223816.html

Basically says he's made himself into a bit of a recluse in Spain. Despite being there for 5 years he can't speak the language, and it's impacting on his role in the squad. The Independent quote one of the Madrid journos:

“Bale plays matches how he lives; isolated in his own world, distant,” wrote Carlos Carpio in Thursday’s Marca during a fairly brutal deconstruction of the Welshman. Languages are a problem, sure, but it goes deeper than that. Off the field, Bale is seen by many around the club as almost reclusive who obsesses over golf and has given up serious efforts to integrate. Even on Wales duty teammates note he has become a little detached."

He does look very odd when he plays for Madrid. Just wanders around seemingly not part of any collective movement. What with the injuries I sadly think we should steer well clear.

 

[brendanb50]

Decent article on Bale:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-manchester-united-city-chelsea-a8223816.html

Basically says he's made himself into a bit of a recluse in Spain. Despite being there for 5 years he can't speak the language, and it's impacting on his role in the squad. The Independent quote one of the Madrid journos:

“Bale plays matches how he lives; isolated in his own world, distant,” wrote Carlos Carpio in Thursday’s Marca during a fairly brutal deconstruction of the Welshman. Languages are a problem, sure, but it goes deeper than that. Off the field, Bale is seen by many around the club as almost reclusive who obsesses over golf and has given up serious efforts to integrate. Even on Wales duty teammates note he has become a little detached."

He does look very odd when he plays for Madrid. Just wanders around seemingly not part of any collective movement. What with the injuries I sadly think we should steer well clear.

Not sure i'd buy the biased tale Marca is spinning here - they're a notoriously pro Real mouthpiece and this reads a bit like the paper trying to shift the player - possibly through instruction.

I do think elements of it ring true but i don't believe he doesn't speak the language after 5 years - he's not that kind of guy IMHO. But appreciate his efforts to maintain integration with a team which may not want him may have lessened this past year.

 

[Nerine]

If it was AVB level Bale, why would Madrid be looking to offload?

Obviously. But if he could regain that kind of form after a move...

 

[worcestersauce]

Decent article on Bale:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-manchester-united-city-chelsea-a8223816.html

Basically says he's made himself into a bit of a recluse in Spain. Despite being there for 5 years he can't speak the language, and it's impacting on his role in the squad. The Independent quote one of the Madrid journos:

“Bale plays matches how he lives; isolated in his own world, distant,” wrote Carlos Carpio in Thursday’s Marca during a fairly brutal deconstruction of the Welshman. Languages are a problem, sure, but it goes deeper than that. Off the field, Bale is seen by many around the club as almost reclusive who obsesses over golf and has given up serious efforts to integrate. Even on Wales duty teammates note he has become a little detached."

He does look very odd when he plays for Madrid. Just wanders around seemingly not part of any collective movement. What with the injuries I sadly think we should steer well clear.

He could speak the language before he went, I've seen him speaking it in interviews. As for the rest it may be true, if a little overdone, but when it starts off badly I naturally question the truth of the article.
I suspect he doesn't involve himself in the cliques at the club or maybe he just wants to come home.

 

[danielneeds]

Not sure i'd buy the biased tale Marca is spinning here - they're a notoriously pro Real mouthpiece and this reads a bit like the paper trying to shift the player - possibly through instruction.

I do think elements of it ring true but i don't believe he doesn't speak the language after 5 years - he's not that kind of guy IMHO. But appreciate his efforts to maintain integration with a team which may not want him may have lessened this past year.

He speaks Spanish about as well as Sergio Augero speaks English. ie Not well.

 

[thebenjamin]

He could speak the language before he went, I've seen him speaking it in interviews. As for the rest it may be true, if a little overdone, but when it starts off badly I naturally question the truth of the article.
I suspect he doesn't involve himself in the cliques at the club or maybe he just wants to come home.

Considering he's on £700K a week I doubt he wants to go anywhere, he'd be sacrificing an enormous amount of money

 

[worcestersauce]

Considering he's on £700K a week I doubt he wants to go anywhere, he'd be sacrificing an enormous amount of money

You don't sacrifice money you make sacrifices to get money so it's no sacrifice to give up money if you can take back the benefits that you gave up to get it, that's life and if you live it any other way you'll never be happy.
You can quote me on that.

 

[brendanb50]

He speaks Spanish about as well as Sergio Augero speaks English. ie Not well.

Fair enough, didn't expect him to be excellent but felt he must get by at least. I don't necessarily think language is the biggest inhibitor anyway regarding his interaction with his team, as most of them will speak english also i presume.

 

[archiewasking]

You don't sacrifice money you make sacrifices to get money so it's no sacrifice to give up money if you can take back the benefits that you gave up to get it, that's life and if you live it any other way you'll never be happy.
You can quote me on that.

Duly quoted.

 

[Shadydan]

Considering he's on £700K a week I doubt he wants to go anywhere, he'd be sacrificing an enormous amount of money

He's on £350k a week.

 

[tiger666]

He's on £350k a week.

After tax

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

He could speak the language before he went, I've seen him speaking it in interviews. As for the rest it may be true, if a little overdone, but when it starts off badly I naturally question the truth of the article.
I suspect he doesn't involve himself in the cliques at the club or maybe he just wants to come home.

Decent article on Bale:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-manchester-united-city-chelsea-a8223816.html

Basically says he's made himself into a bit of a recluse in Spain. Despite being there for 5 years he can't speak the language, and it's impacting on his role in the squad. The Independent quote one of the Madrid journos:

“Bale plays matches how he lives; isolated in his own world, distant,” wrote Carlos Carpio in Thursday’s Marca during a fairly brutal deconstruction of the Welshman. Languages are a problem, sure, but it goes deeper than that. Off the field, Bale is seen by many around the club as almost reclusive who obsesses over golf and has given up serious efforts to integrate. Even on Wales duty teammates note he has become a little detached."

He does look very odd when he plays for Madrid. Just wanders around seemingly not part of any collective movement. What with the injuries I sadly think we should steer well clear.

I doubt he wants to surround himself with the Ronaldo circus, which has the look of "Michael Jackson" of the footballing world, especially with all those surrogate kids and statues everywhere.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

He didn't think he was too good for us, he was too good for us and he had the opportunity to go to Real Madrid which was an ambition of his.
You should try not to take it so personally.

Quite. Harry even tried to offload him at one point so it’s hardly as if we had unwavering faith in him anyway.

Some people have a warped view that anyone who’s any good must stay put forever, unless they are being signed by us from a different club, in which case they should obviously leave.