Gareth Bale is important and deserves to play at Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti

Gareth Bale

Carlo Ancelotti has put to end all speculation of Gareth Bale leaving Real Madrid, saying that he still has a key role to play at the club.

The Welsh winger has seen his spot in the starting XI taken by Isco in recent matches. And the Spanish midfielder has impressed to the extent that Bale’s position in the starting lineup could be at risk.

Bale has not played in the last four games due to a back injury, and there are calls for Madrid to drop Bale to the bench when he returns after a less than impressive start to the season.

Real Madrid travel to Granada this weekend but Bale will not go with the squad as he recovers from his injury. But Ancelotti has come out and said that Bale would be back in the lineup when he is fully fit.

Bale is important to Real Madrid: Ancelotti

The Madrid boss said: “Bale deserves to play. He is one of the best players in the world and a very important player for this team.

“Isco is playing well and we hope he can prolong the good moment he’s in until the end of the season.”

Ancelotti also touched upon the idea of Bale and Isco playing together in the team.

"He [Isco] is also compatible with Bale. He’s proved that already: they’ve played together and played well."

Ancelotti reacts to Atletico Madrid players not winning any La Liga awards

The Italian manager was also asked about the fact that no player from last season’s La Liga winning Atletico Madrid team won any award while Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric won awards.

“I’m never surprised when any Madrid player wins an award,” Ancelotti said.

“It doesn’t come as a surprise when Ramos or Modric receive an award – or Cristiano, because he is the best player in the world.”