Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

[CantSmileWithoutYou]

He's finally freeee, although he's no doubt made a ridiculous amount.

That's better!

 

[Tucker]

Although we’ve had itk saying Conte isn’t sold on the idea, I can’t help but feel that Bale on a free would help solve two problems, cover up top, and HG rules.

Not sure Bale’s heart is in it anymore though, especially if Wales don’t qualify for the World Cup.

 

[talbot64]

One last time, Gareth

 

[TheWook]

Although we’ve had itk saying Conte isn’t sold on the idea, I can’t help but feel that Bale on a free would help solve two problems, cover up top, and HG rules.

Not sure Bale’s heart is in it anymore though, especially if Wales don’t qualify for the World Cup.

I think he will call it a day if Wales don't get to the WC.

 

[Dov67]

His focus will be on Wales and not Spurs.

Still an exceptional player but Conte demands blood, sweat and tears even in training let alone on for 90 mins match days, so I don't think this will work sadly.

Real shame that when he did come back there were no fans in the stadium to appreciate him because of bloody COVID

 

[spids]

His focus will be on Wales and not Spurs.

Still an exceptional player but Conte demands blood, sweat and tears even in training let alone on for 90 mins match days, so I don't think this will work sadly.

Real shame that when he did come back there were no fans in the stadium to appreciate him because of bloody COVID

I'd agree with this. And rightly so (although would be great to see Bale tearing it up in front of a full house in the South stand).

 

[ukdy]

Would I love Bale back? - Yes. Will he come to Spurs? - I doubt it.....

I think he goes somewhere he can keep up a base level of fitness IF Wales qualify for the World Cup... a Conte system, keeping fitness levels at peak, and trying to stay injury free might not work for either GB or Spurs... he won't want to be out of the WC if he picks up something. At Cardiff he might be the big fish in a little pond, home for the memories, come on as a super sub every few games. We've seen GB not have many minutes for Madrid, but still pull up trees internationally.

However... if Wales don't qualify, then he'll either retire or could come to us for one last dance and a decent salary.

 

[Styopa]

Personally I don’t see how playing at Cardiff as a sub would be any better for his fitness levels than playing at Spurs as a sub. If anything I imagine he would be more likely to be clattered about playing in the Championship than he would in the Premier League. The facilities, physio teams etc will also be of a lower standard at Cardiff than at Spurs. He might want to go there for other reasons but if he is worried about injury I don’t see how playing the likes of Burnley, Hull and Stoke week in week out would be particularly appealing.

 

[Timberwolf]

Think we need to move on from this. He's 2 years older than when we last signed him and is already half-retired.

If we sign him it would likely be on a 6 month contract (so available for 16 league games before the world cup) and if Wales qualify his main priority will be making sure he doesn't get injured....and if they don't qualify he'll probably retire in a few weeks anyway.

We should be looking to get someone in for the future, not harking back to the past for Bale. The last comeback was special enough and we'd just end up tainting it.

 

[jpascavitz]

Think we need to move on from this. He's 2 years older than when we last signed him and is already half-retired.

If we sign him it would likely be on a 6 month contract (so available for 16 league games before the world cup) and if Wales qualify his main priority will be making sure he doesn't get injured....and if they don't qualify he'll probably retire in a few weeks anyway.

We should be looking to get someone in for the future, not harking back to the past for Bale. The last comeback was special enough and we'd just end up tainting it.

I agree but also think he could play a part in helping the squad short-term even to bridge the gap to January.

I wouldn't hate it on a deal with a low weekly wage like Perisic has structured and say we've spent most of our budget on LCB, CB, RWB, CM - if Bergwijn or Lucas were to head out at that point I'd take that swap with him even if it meant for 6 months to reassess and focus on that area in January (or next Summer).

He'd have to be all in though and maybe it would appeal to him that if Conte would have him in amazing shape heading into a WC.

 

[THOWIG]

Can he play RWB

 

[double0]

We should do everything to get Bale back here in our squad. The quality experience on a free transfer makes a lot of sense.

 

[tototoner]

Would still love bale back with us.

impact player, scores and assists.

offers more than moura and Stevie B.

100% this

 

[synththfc]

Says that bale will most likely not be returning and that a return to cardiff is on the cards

 

[kaz Hirai]

think he could do a role off the bench when chasing a game, but not too fussed as I would quite like to see how he does in the championship

 

[Trix]

think he could do a role off the bench when chasing a game, but not too fussed as I would quite like to see how he does in the championship

He'll get kicked.............................. a lot.

 

[spursfan77]

I love Bale a lot but I think the ship has sailed. I’m not sure him going to Cardiff is a good idea either in terms of protecting him from injury. He could easily stay without a club and keep fit and then join up with wales for the World Cup if they get there. He doesn’t need a wage, just fitness.

 

[double0]

He'll get kicked.............................. a lot.

Far to good for the championship.

 

[kaz Hirai]

i could imagine newcastle offering him a dizzying one year deal, basically close to what he was on at madrid

 

[Joshua shepherd]

i could imagine newcastle offering him a dizzying one year deal, basically close to what he was on at madrid

They haven’t really shown any signs of making ridiculous transfers like that yet, in fact their January deals were very sensible so I find it highly unlikely they’d push the boat out for a mostly injured Bale, not sure what advantage there would be for them.