EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Gareth Bale back at Real Madrid

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Gareth Bale is expected to check in for pre-season training at Real Madrid in July. With a year remaining on his contract, he believes he is part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. Bale is part of the Madrid’s attacking trio alongside Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema.

The 31-year-old attacker had hinted at a possible departure. He did not want to reveal his future plans until after Euro 2020. This heralded speculation that he would not see out his contract at Madrid. However, with Carlo Ancelotti taking over, things could take a turn.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has heaped praise on Bale, calling him “one of the best players in Europe”. Perez recalls Bale’s most famous goals for the club – a halfway line sprint to win the Cope del Rey (2014) and an outrageous overhead kick against Liverpool (2018).

On loan at Tottenham Hotspur, Bale made 20 Premier League appearances. He finished the season with an impressive 11 goals. During this spell, the 31-year-old showed signs of his old self.

The Stellar Trio

Bale’s return could hand a second chance to Los Blancos’ star-studded trio of Bale, Benzema and Hazard. They signed Eden Hazard as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. Karim Benzema became Madrid’s talisman following the Portuguese star’s exit. However, injury plagued the plan. The three players were only ever together on the pitch during seven games.

New management and a fresh new season could be a second chance. Carlo Ancelotti could combine the club’s three most expensive players with youngsters Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Marco Asensio.

Ancelotti recalls speaking to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, during his first term, regarding Bale’s preference to operate more centrally. He assured Bale that he did not want to change the team’s structure. Also, he would address the possibility of deploying Bale more centrally. However, he was sacked at the end of the season and could not keep his word.

Their reinstatement will see Bale in his current favoured position down the right-hand side of the front three, with Benzema in the center and Hazard on the left.

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