Gareth Bale - Florentino Perez's biggest risk yet?

Bale has been, for the last season, a replica of Cristiano – all speed, explosiveness, sleek feigning, blistering freekicks, match-winning ability and not to mention, the slicked-back, copiously-gelled hair.

How will Ronaldo handle not being the most expensive property at Bernabeu

So can Ronaldo survive with a living, breathing, Welsh copy of himself? There’s also the inevitable transfer fee, which as previously mentioned, is tattooed on Bale’s forehead. This may well serve as a crucible for Ronaldo himself, and it should be interesting to see how, if at all, he responds to not being the most expensive property at the Bernabeu any more.

Moreover, there is always the possibility of a recurrence of the ‘Fernando Torres Syndrome’, when a player’s price tag starts playing with his head, further compounded by journalists jumping onto the player’s back and adding further weight to his price tag headache after every single poor pass or skied shot.

Footballers are not spared easily in Spain, and Gareth Bale will be no exception. This is something the Welshman can learn from Ronaldo in the locker room, if the latter is willing to impart that knowledge; the Portguese knows a thing or two about actually living up to expectations and handling media pressure.

In addition, there always runs a risk of injury in football. It does not have to come in a game, or be inflicted upon in horrendous fashion by a rival; it can occur by means of a small slip in training.

Bale has faced his fair share of pain in the past, with eight injuries in six years – two related to his hamstring and a few to his ankle and foot. This is something Real Madrid and Bale himself have to be very, very careful about, as the ex-Spurs winger’s major USP is his speed and his explosiveness; his ability to turn his pace immediately. Without it, Bale does not have much to fall back on as a player, so one major injury could scar Bale’s career at Madrid.

Then of course, comes the Mesut Ozil issue. Many fans at Bale’s unveiling had to be shushed by Perez for chanting, “Ozil, no se vendre!” Not too atypical if you think about it – an ex-Spurs player’s thunder stolen by a future Arsenal player. But the banter aside, this could be the biggest impact of the risk Perez has taken.

Ozil’s departure, no doubt, was the last piece of business done by Real Madrid to make up for Bale’s exorbitant fee and keep the wage bill within regulation.

In a transfer window that has already seen the likes of Higuain, Callejon and Kaka leave, Ozil was the final option for Perez to further decrease the wage bill to accommodate Bale’s £300k/week.

Based on individual talent, Ozil and Bale would not be too far away from each other, but when you look at their importance to Real Madrid, you would think their XI needs Ozil more than it needs Bale. Even with the signing of the immensely talented Isco, Mesut Ozil could have warranted a starting place, if given one opportunity to impress Ancelotti beyond his wits; if Real Madrid chose to believe in him.