Real Madrid players are reportedly concerned about Gareth Bale being chosen as the new star player of the team to fill the void left since Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus.
The Portugal international made the surprise move away from the Bernabeu this summer, and Real unsurprisingly look to be a far weaker side without him up front.
Manchester United just beat Julen Lopetegui’s side in a pre-season friendly, and Don Balon note that Bale’s unconvincing performance was of some concern to those in the dressing room.
The Wales international may have been instrumental for Los Blancos in last season’s Champions League final win over Liverpool, but he had a poor season overall and doesn’t truly look up to the required standard in terms of replacing a legendary figure like Ronaldo.
While that would be a tough job for any player, Don Balon note that Florentino Perez has struggled to land the kind of Galactico replacement many would have had in mind.
El Pais have reported that Madrid responded to Ronaldo’s departure by targeting Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, though both moves failed.
Eden Hazard has also been linked as the man to come in by the Daily Mail, though Maurizio Sarri is said to be prepared to make him Chelsea captain in order to keep him at Stamford Bridge.