Now there’s no reason for Bale to quit Real
GARETH BALE does not really want to come back to the Premier League. Everybody knows that. He wants to play for Real Madrid — and who wouldn’t? Bale’s problem was that Zinedine Zidane did not trust him to do that, week in week out. He didn’t trust him to start the Champions League final, either, which for Bale was the tipping point. So, in Kiev, despite winning the game for his team, Bale as good as announced he wanted out. He said he had to be playing every week, knowing Zidane wouldn’t grant that wish. Zidane confirmed as much after the game. Now Zidane is gone, however, Bale’s circumstances have surely changed, too. The player who scored arguably the greatest goal in a Champions League final must fancy his chances of winning over Zidane’s
successor. Unless he is told otherwise, Bale will believe he can be a vital member of Real Madrid’s first XI again. If so, why would he go to a troubled Manchester United, or Chelsea, who are directionless and offer only Europa League football next season? Bale couldn’t win a battle against the coach who landed three straight Champions League titles, but next season is a clean slate. He should give it a last try, at least.