Gareth Bale has dropped his level at Real Madrid, says Graham Hunter
Tuesday 26 May 2015 23:29, UK
Gareth Bale must raise his standards again after letting them slip during his second season at Real Madrid, says Graham Hunter.
Following his £85m move from Tottenham in 2013, Bale helped inspire Real to a 10th Champions League title and the Copa del Rey. But things have not gone as well for the Welshman this season with Real failing to win a major trophy.
Spanish football expert Hunter believes Bale’s standards have dropped during his second season at the Bernabeu.
“I think the argument that his agent came out with that the ball’s not being passed to him often enough or at the right time is false,” Hunter told Revista. “I think it’s a misinterpretation of the way Jonathan Barnett’s client has approached this season from start to finish.
“I think it’s emblematic of the close-but-no-cigar degree of effort and intensity every day, every week.
“If you compare Bale’s talent and rewards to say the talent and rewards of Luis Suarez this season I think you see the marker. You see the litmus test.
“I genuinely believe that Gareth Bale, who is an extraordinary footballer and probably had the all-time great British season abroad, has dropped his standards. It’s as simple as that.”
Bale’s performances towards the end of the season led to certain sections of the Bernabeu crowd booing him and there was plenty of speculation he could be heading for the exit door.
Manchester United have been linked with a move to bring the former Spurs forward back to the Premier League, but Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague insists he will be in the Spanish capital for a third season.
“He’s definitely going to have a third,” Balague told Revista. “There was a meeting on Thursday between Jonathan Barnett and the club and the question was put to the club: ‘Are you selling, because if you are selling Manchester United want to buy?’
“The answer was: ‘We are not selling.’ It brought another question of how the club were going to use Bale because actually you are not using him in the way he was at Spurs.
“That was deferred to the next manager and that will possibly be Rafa Bentiez.”
Finally, Gerry Armstrong believes Bale is still a world-class player but says he must strive for more consistency in his performances.
"Obviously it’s been a disappointment compared to his first when he won the Champions League," he said.
“His performances haven’t been been as consistent but he still has scored goals. He’s had high moments but he needs to be more consistent.
“He’s a world class player but he’ll know himself and he’ll feel in himself he can do a lot better.”
Bale indicated on Tuesday his intention to remain at Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, as well as the departure of boss Carlo Ancelotti.
He posted on Twitter: "Will be working hard in the off season and looking forward to coming back next season stronger with @realmadrid."
