Giggs: "Bale? I don't talk to Zidane about him because his English isn't very good"
The Wales coach revealed that he doesn't discuss things with Zidane due to the language barrier. "If Bale ever needs someone to talk to, I'll be there".
Gareth Bale finds sanctuary every time he is called up by Wales, although he has even started being questioned back home. National team coach Ryan Giggs faced the media this morning and defended Bale, adding that he will always lend an ear if ever the Real Madrid player needs someone to talk to. "'I've always said to him if he wants to speak then I'll listen and be more than happy to help him. He's experienced and professional enough to look after himself. But I'm there if he ever needs to talk to", he said.
Immediately afterwards, Giggs was asked if he had ever discussed Bale's situation or future with Zinedine Zidane - a question which the Wales coach skillfully sidestepped by explaining that the language barrier impeded them from communicating on a regular basis. "I haven't spoken to Zidane. My French and Spanish isn't too good. That's my way out of that one..." he told one journalist.
But after more insistence as to why he doesn't try talking to Zidane in English, Giggs replied, in a more serious tone: "I know Zidane's English isn't very good from experience. I'm just monitoring the situation. When Gareth gets on camp I will speak to him like I always do".
Bale called up for games against Finland and Bulgaria
Bale is in the Wales squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Finland (Matchday 1) on 3 September and then Bulgaria (Matchday 2) on 6 September.
Selling Bale - a difficult operation
Bale earns 14.5 million euros after tax every year (29 million gross), figures which very few clubs could meet. His contract expires in 2022 but he has been pushed more and more to the sidelines - to the point where he wasn't even included in the squad for the Champions League Last 16 return leg against Manchester City. Both he and James Rodríguez were omitted.
By selling James and Bale, Madrid will be able to make huge savings on their annual wages bill. Between them, the two players cost the club 42 million euros per year, almost 15% of the total wages bill for the first team squad. Finding new clubs for them is crucial in Madrid's coronavirus cost-cutting exercise. The club's plan is to have a squad of 23 players and reduce outgoings on salaries by around 60 million.