Gareth Bale Given Immediate Warning by Real Madrid Following Record Transfer

Gareth Bale will be afforded no luxuries as the world’s most expensive player, according to Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement in quotes reported by Saj Chowdhury of BBC Sport.

Bale arrived to much fanfare on Monday, saluting the fans and even speaking in Spanish after his £85.3 million switch from Tottenham.

Clement, though, has warned the Wales international that he is not a guaranteed starter. Per Chowdhury:

"

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

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.

We have a lot of exciting players here. [Striker Karim] Benzema is a great talent, while Isco plays in midfield but has chipped in with three goals already.

"

Angel Di Maria is the most likely player to suffer as a direct result of Bale’s arrival, based on the way Carlo Ancelotti has set his side up during the early part of the season.

Keeping a flat back four, Madrid have operated with three central midfielders in Sami Khedira, Luka Modric and Isco—the latter of whom has made a super start to life in Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria then support Benzema, so Ancelotti has two options for how to use Bale. He either slots him into the starting XI as a direct replacement for Di Maria, or he sacrifices one of the three midfielders in order to make his team more offensive.

Madrid’s next game is away at Villarreal, handing them an instant opportunity to show their counterattacking potential with Bale and Ronaldo in the same side.

Given Madrid’s history when it comes to mega-money signings, Clement’s warning to Bale over a starting spot is highly unlikely to be substantiated—regardless of how long it takes for the Welshman to settle.

The likes of former Brazil superstar Ronaldo and David Beckham have both benefited from the Galacticos’ policy of keeping high-profile players in the team—regardless of form—and Bale will be no different.