Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane fumed at another question about Gareth Bale’s recent behaviour, blasting the media for trying to make an issue out of nothing.
Bale has featured just twice since returning to football, but has still managed to grab headlines with his antics on the bench. The Welshman used his face mask to sneak a nap on the side of the pitch before telescoping using ankle tape last time out.
A number of Spanish outlets criticized Bale for his ‘disrespectful’ behaviour, and Zidane was asked if he felt the winger was causing trouble on purpose, but the boss was again adamant (Sky via Sports) that there is no issue between Bell and self
Wells, golf, binoculars. pic.twitter.com/6RI8a0TSg8
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) July 13, 2020
“My God, what a question, man!” They said. “We think about tomorrow’s game, and Gareth is the same. He’s one of us. You try to put things between us but you can’t.
“Every day you ask the same. You can, you have the right to ask, but here everyone is united. We all think the same, Gareth, James (Rodriguez), everyone here. All of us. want the same thing.”
Zidane has taken this stance whenever he has been asked about Bale, clearly keen to avoid exacerbating any issues between the pair, but it is clear the Welshman has no interest in his long-term plans. I don’t stand out.
?? Happy birthday to @GarethBale11 who turns 31 today!
? #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/NpDheDVj31
– Real Madrid FC ???? (@realmadriden) July 16, 2020
Despite Madrid’s busy schedule, Zidane has refused to include Bale in each of the team’s last five games, instead handing minutes to Eden Hazard, Rodrigo and the returning Marco Asensio.
As seems to be the case every summer, Bale will likely be the subject of fresh transfer rumors once the upcoming window opens, but the coronavirus outbreak has made it harder to find someone to take on his hefty wages. It’s going to be more difficult.
A loan move always looks the most likely option, but Real can still expect to pay a large chunk of his wages – similar to Manchester United’s conundrum with Alexis Sanchez last summer. was
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