Zinedine Zidane has reflected on how he has seen differing reactions to increased competition for places at Real Madrid this summer.
Los Blancos have brought in Isco, Asiar Illarramendi and Gareth Bale this summer, whilst notably losing Mesut Ozil on the final day of the transfer window to Arsenal.
The team’s former creative talent and current assistant Coach has reflected on the pressure that this has and will continue to bring, and how not everyone has reacted in the same way.
“I think the signing of Bale is very important for Madrid. He was the best in the Premier League for two seasons. We will help him a lot,” this week began Zidane.
“My words have been misunderstood. When I said that he cost a lot of money, which is also what the President said, it is because that will mean a lot of pressure for him.
“At least, that’s what happened to me. From the first moment, I encouraged the President to make the effort to sign Bale to Real Madrid.
“Madrid should sign the biggest, as it is the most valuable club in the world.”
The Frenchman mused on who Bale should take the best example from in facing the pressure and the competition for a place in the starting line-up.
“The pressure is very great at Real Madrid. It will be for Bale, but the best example is Cristiano, the most expensive player in football history and he overcame enormous pressure with spectacular performances.
“Today, Cristiano is ahead of everyone else for what he is doing. Cristiano is the best striker in the world.
“The competition in attack is great. Now we have added players like Isco, whilst Jese and Morata are increasing competition also.
“There are players who have responded with strength and the will to fight. Not everyone reacted the same. Di Maria responded and wanted to fight. Ozil, who is a great player and gave a lot to Madrid, decided to leave.
“Isco is a spectacular player. Maybe he is what was missing in the Madrid midfield. He will contribute much and will be important in Madrid.
“Illarramendi is also going to be a major player. The pity is that he has been injured in preseason, but he will come into the team gradually.”
Zidane returned to the club in a new role this summer, moving closer to the field with an assistant’s spot in the coaching staff under Carlo Ancelotti.
“I could not imagine it as so difficult, but it is logical. The tension is for inside, but it is normal. Besides, I think most of the tension is towards the Coach, with everything that you think.
“I’m here to help. I have worked with Carlo a long time ago and he is a good Coach. He already knows it all. But he is also a good person.
“I will always miss being a player, it is always going to be so, because it has been the best thing that ever happened in my life. But it has passed.”
