Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement tells BBC Sport that both he and manager Carlo Ancelotti have been discussing how to use £85m-man Gareth Bale at Real Madrid. Clement, who worked with Ancelotti at Chelsea and Paris St-Germain, says the 24-year-old's ability to play in different positions during his career will benefit the Spanish giants.

"We've been talking about it a lot already," he said. "Carlo has an idea of how to use him - but things can change quickly. Carlo is a flexible enough coach to use Gareth and others in different capacities. Gareth brings that quality. At Southampton, he played at left-back which he also did at Spurs before becoming a more left-sided player and then moving more central.

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. Carlo is flexible enough to use Gareth and other players in different capacities," Englishman Clement said.

"At Southampton, Bale played at left-back which he also did at Spurs where he became a more left-sided player. He recently became more central. He's got that versatility."

"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. Gareth has the goalscoring talent and ability to set up goals for others. 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."

"Depending on how much or little he plays will depend whether he trains a week on Wednesday or Thursday leading into the first game at Villarreal away [Saturday, 14 September]," added Clement.

Clement suggested it would benefit Bale to "knuckle down" and learn the language.

"It's more challenging for a coach and manager than a player," he continued. "Communication is everything - you have to instruct and organise. It's up to Gareth to learn. A lot of players start having lessons at the club when they arrive. [Croatian] Luka Modric, who played with Gareth at Tottenham, had some lessons initially - he speaks in Spanish and English with the players."

"I'm sure Gareth will do the same. He spoke some lines during the news conference. It's a great life quality if he knuckles down and learns. Our communication with the team as a whole will be in Spanish."

hiero wrote:yes, he must regain fitness before we throw him in the deep end. stupid mistake on the weekend - but that was all perez.

woodgate lol dont talk about that guy. almost as good as faubert! haha but at least he played.
Bale will come good. fitness and time to adapt to the league and surroundings.