• La Liga

Bale 'not guaranteed' Madrid starting place

ESPN staff
September 4, 2013
Gareth Bale completed his move to Real Madrid on Sunday © AP
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Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement has told the BBC that Gareth Bale is not guaranteed a starting place despite commanding a world-record fee.

Bale finally completed his €100 million transfer from Tottenham to Madrid on Sunday, and was unveiled at the Bernabeu the day after.

Bale was in stunning form for Spurs last season, picking up the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, but Clement has said he is not necessarily assured of a place in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"There's a lot of competition for places - no-one will be guaranteed anything," Clement told BBC Sport. "Coach Carlo Ancelotti has a clear idea how to use him but things can change."

Clement spoke of his and Ancelotti's plans for Bale, who began his career as a left-back before playing a more attacking and central role for Tottenham last term.

He added: "Carlo is flexible enough to use Gareth and other players in different capacities. At Southampton, Bale played at left-back which he also did at Spurs where he became a more left-sided player.

"He recently became more central. He's got that versatility. It'll be interesting to see how players fit in together. We'll be trying to find their best position and what's best for the team as quickly as possible.

"Gareth has the goalscoring talent and ability to set up goals for others."

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