It is crystal clear that relationships have not been great between Zinedine Zidane and Gareth Bale. Saying last week in a press conference that It would be good if Bale left Madrid.
Also he told reporters this week that Gareth refused to play a friendly against Bayern Munich. Bales agent labeled Zidane a disgrace for his treatment of the player also said that Bale will be going nowhere unless his contract is paid up. There are 3 years left on this (June 2022) and it is said to be worth 350k a week. If you do the maths you are talking around 18 million a year. So 54 million to get rid of a Ferrari is not good business for Madrid's chairman Fernando Perez who bought Bale in the first place to replace Ronaldo. Rumour has it that Zidane left the first time around for the clubs refusal to sell Bale.
So What Does Zidane Have Against Bale?
Even though Zidane never admitted the reason he wants to get rid of Bale but we need to look at Zidane's career first. He joined Juventus and jumped straight into the Italian culture, learning the language was very important so he could get on with the Italian players. He did the same when he was signed by Madrid learning Spanish even before he signed for them.
Take Bale, he is 5 years in Madrid and he still hasn't learnt the language. He doesn't mix with the players. They have their team meal at 11pm. Him and Toni Kross prefer to skip this as they stick to their traditional of bed early. Courtois gave an interview to 90 minute magazine saying they called Bale the golfer as he would prefer to go and play golf rather than bond with his team. Apparently Bale was fuming about the interview and it caused a major row in the dressing room. So it is clear to say Bale has not really went to the same lengths as Zidane to fit in with the team.
Zidane is also not happy with Bale playing so much golf as it goes against a players fitness regime regarding rests. Being out on the golf course all day is not considered resting and it is not going down well with the Frenchman. He also is concerned with his
Some managers like some players and some like others. That is life. Zidane wants more passing out of his team instead of direct football. Bale is a player that likes to take people on. Maybe not the style that Zinedine is looking for. That's just the way it is. It doesn't mean Gareth is any less a player. His bycycle kick in the champions league final last year proves that.
Bales Record
Bales fitness is always an issue at the Bernabeu. He is always getting niggles which leave him out for a few games and he never really gets going. Alot of fans are disgruntled with this and then have voiced their opinions with whistles last season. But how injured is the guy . Lets take a look at the best players over the years. We will include Madrid's messiah for obvious reasons.
Hmmmmmm so there is a myth dispelled right there. Bale has 100 goals in 5 seasons. He played 217 games. He has more goals than Figo and Zidane and is 4 behind Ronaldo. He has more titles than Figo and Zidane put together. His record is excellent actually.
So Where Do We Go From Here?
Well from Gareth's side he is living in paradise. Golf cluns near by on 600k a week gross. His family love it there. He doesn't read the papers so he is in his own little bubble. He loves it in Madrid and doesn't want to go anywhere. His agent has said that also. He will quite happily leave his contract run out it seems which is a waste of a special talent. Who can afford him though?
So Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested. But they will not want to pay his massive wages. The only clubs that could pay that are in China but the transfer fee would have to be small and Perez is a business man. He doesn't want to leave his Ferrari go for the price of a Fiat. The most likely situation is that they will try to sell to China for a low transfer fee and then a premier league side or Bayern Munich will sweep in and take Bale for a steal. But for now there is nothing happening. Manager do not last long in Madrid. This is Zidane's second stint in charge and things still are not rosey in the garden between him and Perez so maybe Bale is waiting for a manager to get the sack. If he holds out for a few months things may change and he could keep his idealic lifestyle for another few year. Highly unlikely but you never know.