When Real Madrid paid over 100 million euros to bring Welshman Gareth Bale from Tottenham to the Spanish capital, I have to admit I was skeptical. Bale never exhibited the same dominance in the Premier League for a sustained period of time on a top club like Manchester United. Unlike the world's previous most expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013 he has racked up goals, but has not had the same impact that Ronaldo did when he completed his dream move in 2009. However he has had his moments, such as the goal he scored to win the Copa del Rey against Barcelona his first year, sprinting past Marc Bartra. Then of course he scored a pivotal goal in securing los merengues their 10th Champions League trophy in 2014.

Still he is yet to put the team on his back and propel them to another level of play like Ronaldo has done since he arrived. Perhaps because Ronaldo lines up with him on the field he hasn't had to. Now however, CR7 is sitting out due to injury giving Bale the stage.

Last week versus Rayo Vallecano in the rain Bale spurred the come from behind victory with two goals, and this week he did it again. Playing without striker Karim Benzema in addition to Ronaldo's absence, Bale headed home his 19th goal, which proved the difference in Madrid's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Playing on the road in San Sebastian, Real Sociedad has proven to be a tricky opponent, beating Barcelona not too long ago as los cules were in the middle of a poor run of form. Bale waited to put his heroics on display until the 84th minute, scoring his ninth goal of the season with his head.

With his recent display many are wondering aloud around Madrid if now is the time to let Ronaldo move to another club. Madrid's brass have never been shy about showing a club legend the exit, with two lifelong madridistas Raúl and Iker Casillas prime examples. Both were captains and spent their entire career in a Real Madrid shirt, but both were unceremoniously ushered out before the end of their careers. However Ronaldo is still playing at a high level. Maye not what we're accustomed to seeing from him, but the facts are that he is second in La Liga in scoring, leads the Champions League with 16 goals in 10 games and his still battling Lionel Messi for the title of best player on the planet.

Notwithstanding, Florentino Perez can still fetch a pretty penny for Ronaldo, possibly recouping his initial 90 million euro fee. Bale has shown that on the pitch there might not be a drop off, and who knows, with Ronaldo gone maybe Isco can finally get a consistent spot in the starting XI.

Photo: Flickr/Nazionale Calcio