Gareth Bale can open up the world for his next move by starring for Wales at Euro 2020

One of my big hopes for this European ­Championship is that Gareth Bale goes out there relaxed and shows the world what he has got.

You talk to some people and hear “he can’t be bothered” but he’s never not turned up for Wales.

He feels at his most comfortable there – this is as close to home as he’s ever going to get anywhere, apart from maybe Spurs the first time.

His last goal for his country was in October 2019 and there’s uncertainty about his club future, with his return to Real Madrid after the end of his loan at Tottenham, so a lot could depend on what he does at the Euros.

If he does well, the world could open up to him again.

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Bale is without a goal in 20 months for Wales (Photo: AFP)

I’m not concerned about his physical condition. It’s your brain that drives your body, so if your mind is right you have a chance.

There comes a time for every player when your body can’t do what your brain is asking, but he’s miles off that and in this tournament he only has to play in short bursts anyway. Wales won’t ask him to run up and down all day because he wouldn’t last.

What they will do is ask him to float about a bit and find little bags of space and work in them. The onus is on his team-mates to give him the ball on a regular basis and see what he can do.

Unlike when, say, Harry Kane drops deep, Gareth can turn and dribble. And when he gets to the edge of the box everyone is scared to death to tackle him because if you give him a dead ball there, you’re in trouble.

What he does off the ball can make a difference too. He might make a run and take two defenders with him and all of a sudden there’s a gap for somebody else.

Ultimately Gareth floats in and out of games, which is why he is so hard to play against. He drifts around and defenders lose concentration and all of a sudden he is on the end of a cross.

More from i on Euro 2020

• i’s Euro 2020 predictions – winners, dark horses, golden boot and more
• Daniel Storey’s guide to all 24 teams – from hot favourites to no hopers
• Home nations guides on England, Scotland and Wales
• How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
• Why England players are taking a knee at Euro 2020 – in their own words

from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3geMhDJ