Bale stakes claim for central role with goal to sink old team Spurs
FORMER Tottenham hero Gareth Bale is hoping that a goalscoring performance against his former club last night convinces Real Madrid bosses to play him in a central role more often.
Bale struck the second goal as Real beat Spurs 2-0 in a friendly match in Munich, after Colombia’s World Cup star James Rodriguez had headed the opener. The world’s most expensive player faces competition from fellow Galacticos Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for a centre-forward role but believes that is where he is most effective.
“It’s my best position,” said Bale, who cost Real £85m in 2013. “When I played for Tottenham, I felt I played my best football there and when I play for Wales, I play there and play my best football. That’s my position and it’s where I want to play.”
Bale also reaffirmed his commitment to Real following reports of £100m bids from Manchester United, while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted he needs more back-up for England striker Harry Kane.
“Maybe we need to bring another striker in,” said Pochettino, who hopes to bring forward his team’s return flight to straight after tonight’s third-place play-off.
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is poised to join Roma after the Italian club agreed a £14m fee with the Premier League side for the Bosnia international, who cost £27m in 2011.