Had he moved from Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea, it would still have been a massive step but on Wednesday I saw how the pressure was having an impact. He was passive and, though he looked more likely to score than Ronaldo, he couldn’t stamp any authority on the contest.
The Bale I played against demanded the ball and made things happen with his explosive pace, strength and aggression. He had football arrogance but not once did I see him demanding his team-mates give him the ball against Juventus. His personality should have come to the fore.
Perhaps life is just too different for him. He understands Spanish but has not yet given an interview to the Spanish press in their language and, given how long he’s been there, you have to wonder whether that would change next year. But it would be good to see him come home.
First, we have lost too many top players - Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Xabi Alonso to name three - to La Liga in recent years and getting Bale back would reclaim some balance. We want box-office players and he would immediately become the Premier League’s No 1 performer again.
His influence in La Liga might have dipped but in 30 games, he has 13 goals and nine assists - compare that to Eden Hazard, our double Player of the Year, who in 36 games has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists. The difference is minimal.
Second, he would automatically improve whichever team he went to. If Chelsea decided to show interest and he went to Stamford Bridge, nobody would catch them in the race for the title next season. Equally, if the Manchester clubs signed him, they would be right back in the hunt.
Read Big Disgrace: Bale Been Bull and Stoned By Fans Who Dis-Like Him
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