Gareth Bale was a hero for Tottenham Hotspur. He played a huge part in our progression in the Champions League, as well as being undoubtedly our star player for a number of years. The chant “Gareth Bale, he was born to play for Spurs” echoed around Premier League grounds each week. But was his move to Real Madrid a move too soon? Some could argue yes, some argue no, but after coming under recent scrutiny for his performances in Madrid’s recent “Galactico” team, it is worth taking a look at whether or not he has proved to be worth his £85million price tag.
We all loved Gareth Bale in his last season, when he scored 26 goals in all competitions, nearly single handily carrying the team into that season Champions League, but it wasn’t quite enough. This was a time when we as fans were spoilt for quality in our team. Finally, Spurs had a squad who were good enough to challenge for anything and reach our expectations. The glory years, the years where Bale excelled under Harry Redknapp, he was in a midfield that featured Rafael Van Der Vaart, Luka Modric and Scott Parker, which was arguably the best in the league at the time. But slowly, that midfield was disbanded, leaving Bale on his own. That season where he scored 26 goals also proved to be his last. Understandably, when Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world, came in for him his head was turned. Everyone would probably do the same with the chance to win virtually everything in Europe. Who would blame him? Except, he refused to train for the club, and play for the club. This is where it gets difficult for some when hearing that some fans would take him back with arms wide open. This is a man who refused to do anything for the club who gave him his chance, and made him the superstar he is supposed to be, and fans forget this very easily.
His time at Real Madrid hasn’t been what was expected from the Madrid fans, known as Madristas in Spain. For a player who cost a world record fee of £85 million, it was expected he would reach the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo, which we know is nearly impossible to replicate, unless your name is Lionel Messi of course. Despite the expectations, he reached 22 goals in his first season, scoring in the Champions League final, the Copa Del Rey final, and the Club World Cup final which is impressive for anyone, but there is one thing that slips people’s minds when mentioning his Champions League goal. He was shocking for the whole game. He missed multiple 1-one-1’s, gave the ball away on several occasions and was kept relatively quiet by Juanfran of Atheltico Madrid. This performance placed seeds of doubt in the mind of the Madrid fans, and they started to doubt whether he was living up to his price tag. This is where it starts to get interesting.
This season Bale hasn’t exactly progressed like many thought he would. With 16 goals to his name, many of the media in Spain have started to question his ability and his worth to the team. “Marca”, who follow every move of Real Madrid even at the training ground to see how many shots are off target and on target, have started to scrutinise every performance to the finest detail of Bale in a Madrid shirt. For some, this may be unfair, or even nit-picking, but for £85 million, it’s almost expected. Ronaldo had the same scrutiny but passed the test, and Luka Modric, another Spurs hero eventually passed the test after being voted ‘the worst signing in La Liga history” by Marca readers. Will Bale past the test? Will he be given any more time or chances from the Madristas? If you believe the papers, then the answer is no.
The rumours linking Gareth Bale back to the Premier League is as rampant as every lately, and some reactions from Spurs fans sparked a thought in my brain. Would the club take back someone who refused to play or train for the club? Yes, he is a top class player and would easily improve the team, but is that valued over loyalty. Now, don’t get me wrong, if Bale turns up at the gates of White Hart Lane and begged Daniel Levy to join, i’d probably be set for that. But I couldn’t help but wonder where it would leave the club if they almost accept that they are the back up option. What would the majority of Spurs fans do? Would you take him back? Or let him slip to another team?
Does this show that Bale isn’t quite as good as everyone thought, or just a unfortunate move? His quality is there for all to see, but he isn’t world class or in the level just below it, with the likes of James Rodriguez or Zlatan Ibrahimovic just beating him in that level. So would we as Tottenham fans be ready to forget the past and forget the disloyalty and take back a player who couldn’t quite cut it at the very top level, or let him slip to a rival like Manchester United or anyone else? Just a thought.
