4 Reasons why the LAFC Bale deal makes sense
If you're like most fans, you fell in love with him during his rise at Tottenham. You'd watch the Welsh power through defenders and drill balls in the back of the net on any given premier league morning. By the time the record breaking signing was at Madrid, he was a house hold name, and still, a spectacle. Yet just like that one quote from The Batman, you either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Ultimately, Madrid became Gareth Bale's Gotham as he was boo-ed in front of thousands of fans and ridiculed on several media outlets for his lack of effort. Love or hate him, I burned my upper lip and spilled hot coffee all over my crotch when I saw his confirmed deal to LAFC on my twitter feed.
Several years ago (well actually....maybe not even several), it was very common to write off big European super stars that came to Major League Soccer. You would laugh with your friends and say, "there goes so and so's career" or better, "welcome to the soccer graveyard." I was was often leading the dismissive laughs. However, the more I really think about it, the more a move to LAFC makes sense for the Welsh superstar. So without further ado, here are 4 reasons why Gareth Bale coming to Los Angeles makes any sense.
Match Fitness for the World Cup
It is not a secret. Bale is highly motivated to give his best for the Welsh national team this November. LAFC will allow him to prepare. In all competitions last season at Madrid, Bale has only made seven appearances. Despite how much money you're making, this break of rhythm, and dent on fitness is not easy for any player. Being included and excluded on several rosters is a mental strain, while trying to find a consistent flow in training regiment becomes a nightmare. Professional soccer is about routine. You take the necessary steps and precautions every day to maximize you energy and level, and eventually, deplete it. Playing week in and week out allows a level of peak fitness and even mental health that Bale is now unfamiliar with. This is what LAFC can do for Bale leading up to the World Cup in Qatar.
Maybe you're thinking, ok so? Couldn't other lower tier teams have offered him the same advantages of playing and building fitness? Yes, absolutely, and Cardiff City FC was an option. However, another factor that make's Bale's deal so sweet is the timing.
2. A Different Type of League
The timing of the MLS regular season ends on October 9 and is followed by the play-offs and MLS Cup final on November 5. The World Cup starts November 21 . A contract valid until the end of the season is perfect for the Welsh to transition right into the World Cup.
3. The Brand
Being in LA would also mean opening more doors, from a marketing perspective. Bale is the level of player, where he is a brand. Los Angeles can do much more for the growth of his brand and surrounding endorsements than Cardiff can. As The Athletic stated, "It’s a solid short-term solution with the potential to make it a longer-term partnership."
4. The Life
Lastly, it's effin Los Angeles. The lifestyle in the sun is not hard to sell. Guaranteed, Bale will enjoy this time out on the golf course.
At the end of the day, Bale agreed to a one-year deal for around $1.6125 million (£1.3 million). It is not a record breaking amount but it doesn't need to be. There are other factors to this deal that make it the right deal for Bale, and hopefully, for Los Angeles. I'm excited to see the Welsh superstar take the field in Los Angles, and even apprehensive over how Cherundolo might fit him in to a line up with Vela.
