thfcsteff
Garth Crooks
Re: Gareth Bale
Well, among the many things which are different in this case, AVB got Baldini as a DoF to finish the deals which could not be finished prior/get the players, so let's see how that works out. But already AVB has something he wanted.
AVB has said on numerous occasions that Bale won't be sold. He has said this because the chairman has insisted he will take a 'Modric' stance if need be with regards to the player although I can tell you Bale's agent is no agitator in the way Modric's was, and Bale is pretty settled with what he wants from life in the immediate future.
The main problem is the tapping up (which has gone far beyond what's been reported) but the boy is cool.
With regards to denials, it becomes a case of the old 'manager's vote of confidence' in this case. There is no reason for Levy to publicly state Bale is not being sold, because Bale has not handed in a transfer request because all parties are pretty clear on the situation. If Bale were to have handed one in, then you'd see the statement. Until that happened, no-one really has to say anything because there's nothing to say. Bale is signed to a contract, Levy won't sell him and Bale hasn't asked to go. Only the desperate bleatings and (frankly) disrespectful pressure by Madrid is creating a perpetual story here.
With regards to whether AVB tells the truth or not, it's my view that he might actually still be a little too young/naive (?) to play the sort of games that, err, 'elder' managers play routinely. I cannot think of a time last season when he flat-out went for a full deceiver...time will tell with regards to AVB.
Well, among the many things which are different in this case, AVB got Baldini as a DoF to finish the deals which could not be finished prior/get the players, so let's see how that works out. But already AVB has something he wanted.
AVB has said on numerous occasions that Bale won't be sold. He has said this because the chairman has insisted he will take a 'Modric' stance if need be with regards to the player although I can tell you Bale's agent is no agitator in the way Modric's was, and Bale is pretty settled with what he wants from life in the immediate future.
The main problem is the tapping up (which has gone far beyond what's been reported) but the boy is cool.
With regards to denials, it becomes a case of the old 'manager's vote of confidence' in this case. There is no reason for Levy to publicly state Bale is not being sold, because Bale has not handed in a transfer request because all parties are pretty clear on the situation. If Bale were to have handed one in, then you'd see the statement. Until that happened, no-one really has to say anything because there's nothing to say. Bale is signed to a contract, Levy won't sell him and Bale hasn't asked to go. Only the desperate bleatings and (frankly) disrespectful pressure by Madrid is creating a perpetual story here.
With regards to whether AVB tells the truth or not, it's my view that he might actually still be a little too young/naive (?) to play the sort of games that, err, 'elder' managers play routinely. I cannot think of a time last season when he flat-out went for a full deceiver...time will tell with regards to AVB.
