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World Cup star in doubt
His arrival at Los Angeles FC was seen as a sensational transfer at the time. Gareth Bale joined the Major League Soccer club on a free transfer from Real Madrid this summer. But in terms of performance, the 33-year-old has not yet fulfilled the expectations placed on him ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Bale, after all, moved to Los Angeles to reach match fitness for the Welsh national team ahead of the winter tournament, but head coach Steven Cherundolo has mostly started him from the bench. As a result, there is a growing chorus of voices that see Bale’s move to the United States critically.
The Guardian has recently described Wales’ record goalscorer as a guest star. Wales manager Robert Page, in the meantime, has suggested after the Nations League defeats against Poland and Belgium that he is unhappy with the performances of his top start. Bale played just 28 minutes against Belgium. “What he does from now until the first game [of the World Cup] against USA … we will be in contact with the club and help manage those minutes,” Page said during the recent international break.
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Bale himself has pointed out that LAFC have a plan to get him up to top form. “We have a plan in LA with what we’re doing,” Bale recently said when asked to assess his own impact in MLS. “We’re not doing too much straight away. Every footballer wants to play as much as they can, but we’re being clever and building myself up for the last important part of the season. Hopefully, that should put me in great shape for the World Cup. I think I’ll be a lot fitter.”
Transfermarkt expert and Area Manager Manuel Veth is convinced that Bale has not shown his full performance for LAFC. “It was always clear that when he joined LAFC that he would do it to gain fitness for the World Cup,” Veth said. “But a transfer to MLS in the middle of the season is always difficult; he has joined a team that has been very consistent and has been playing a good season. As a result, Steven Cherundolo has banked on players that have been the foundation for a successful season thus far.”
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LAFC want the title: “If Bale makes the difference, then his transfer is a success”
Captain Carlos Vela has been the nominal number one on the right-wing position. The 33-year-old Mexican has been excellent this season scoring 12 goals and nine assists in 31 games. But Bale was added to make a difference in the MLS Cup Playoffs that will start later this month.
“Whether Bale will be a success or not does not depend on the regular season but on the playoffs—that’s where the club has to deliver this year,” Veth. LAFC have won the Supporters’ Shield in the past and need to win the MLS Cup this season. “The expectations are immense,” Veth said. “If Bale makes the difference and LAFC can reach their goal—then the transfer will be deemed a success.”
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