Gareth Bale

Diego

Well-known member
I see the Cardiff talk is ramping up. Will be interesting to see how many games he actually plays if he signs, also, once the World Cup is out the way is that him done? He just gonna bail out after not even half a season. What a bizarre situation.
 
It's a strange one, isn't it. I have to say, it would be difficult not to be excited as a Cardiff fan, regardless of how it eventually pans out.
I agree. I think he'll definitely put bums on seats and appeal to the Cardiff fans.

It wouldn't have been that long ago that we would have been mentioned as a club happy to pay over the odds for a big name nearing the end of his career. And, I am delighted that we have moved past that!
 
Can imagine any contract could be pay as you play

I can't, has there every been a pure pay as you play contract signed by a professional ever ? It's often talked about as an option, but why would any professional sign one when they hold much of the power, rather than the club.

Besides most contracts contain a pay as you play element, it's called an appearance bonus.
 
I can't, has there every been a pure pay as you play contract signed by a professional ever ? It's often talked about as an option, but why would any professional sign one when they hold much of the power, rather than the club.

Besides most contracts contain a pay as you play element, it's called an appearance bonus.
I think Dyer was on one when we signed him.
 
You do wonder how he'll approach 50/50s on a wet pitch
Exactly. I’d be very sceptical as a fan if a player only signed a short contract like that. If he signs for the season and plays the whole season then fair enough it’s a wonderful signing but I don’t think that’s the case at all. Just using them for the World Cup
 
Exactly. I’d be very sceptical as a fan if a player only signed a short contract like that. If he signs for the season and plays the whole season then fair enough it’s a wonderful signing but I don’t think that’s the case at all. Just using them for the World Cup
I'll be honest, I like Bale and have no problem with the way he's prioritised Wales over the last few years. He's sacrificed plenty for football over the years (as do all real pros) so putting your own interests first feels earned, but there's no argument really that he's used clubs recently and that's the only reason he'd be signing for Cardiff, even if sentiment might sugar coat that.

Then again, it's not like every club doesn't already have players with questionable on and off field commitment, but not many of them can decide a game with one or two moments the way Bale can. Post World Cup though? Whatever form Cardiff build up could well drop off a cliff.

Promotion contenders? They could end up going down if they haven't built up a nice wad of points early on.
 
You do wonder how he'll approach 50/50s on a wet pitch
A 50/50 at any time will be interesting, he will not risk injury at all before the WC so the team will be carrying a passenger (a world class one at that so his team mates may forgive him :unsure: ) whenever he decides he's fit to play.
 
I'll be honest, I like Bale and have no problem with the way he's prioritised Wales over the last few years. He's sacrificed plenty for football over the years (as do all real pros) so putting your own interests first feels earned, but there's no argument really that he's used clubs recently and that's the only reason he'd be signing for Cardiff, even if sentiment might sugar coat that.

Then again, it's not like every club doesn't already have players with questionable on and off field commitment, but not many of them can decide a game with one or two moments the way Bale can. Post World Cup though? Whatever form Cardiff build up could well drop off a cliff.

Promotion contenders? They could end up going down if they haven't built up a nice wad of points early on.
Exactly . Imagine if he’s brilliant for them and he just drops them after the World Cup? They won’t be able to replace him. Don’t see them being promotion contenders at all but it will be good to see how he does while he’s there. For me if he has anything about him he would commit to the end of the season.
 
Exactly . Imagine if he’s brilliant for them and he just drops them after the World Cup? They won’t be able to replace him. Don’t see them being promotion contenders at all but it will be good to see how he does while he’s there. For me if he has anything about him he would commit to the end of the season.
He could always just go for it (albeit carefully) leading up to the World Cup and then treating the rest of the season like an extended victory lap before retiring. Being remembered for dropping Cardiff in the **** can't be how he wants to end his career.

As has already been mentioned, Bale in 2nd gear is still better than 90% of the rest of the Championship.
 
Them signing him would be a bit like us getting Merson. Anyway - is it really going to happen? Surely he would have good and tempting offers in the top flight?
 
Them signing him would be a bit like us getting Merson. Anyway - is it really going to happen? Surely he would have good and tempting offers in the top flight?

I think with him though it's about motivation. I don't think he really cares about winning club trophies anymore as he's won pretty much everything at Real Madrid. It's just about keeping himself fit for the World Cup. After that he'll retire either at the end of the year or end of the season if Cardiff are doing well. Home comforts, the chance to work with the Welsh FA's physio team that seem to keep him injury free for Wales and a chance to get Cardiff promoted. Ticks most the boxes for him.

Originally I think he wanted to stay near Madrid as his family were settled there. Now that's not an option then it's probably the next best thing for him on a personal level.
 
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