Gareth Bale has undergone a dramatic transformation from Tottenham misfit to being the ‘best left-sided player in Britain,’ according to Harry Redknapp. The Welshman, who had once played 24 Premier League games without victory, grasped his chance after the Cameroon left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto suffered a groin injury at the turn of the year. But such was the drive and penetrative attacking play offered by Bale, he has since been moved to a traditional left-wing role. At just 21-years old, can anything halt his rise to the top?
Weighed down by that undesirable statistic, Redknapp sent Bale on with five minutes to play in their 5-0 home victory over Burnley last year. Substitute appearances and spells in and out of the first team were characteristic of the player’s contribution since joining Spurs from Southampton in 2007. There was an underlying sentiment in the Tottenham camp that the youngster could toughen up somewhat, to become more aggressive and robust on the pitch. At 6ft 2in, with a strong physique and powerful left foot this should not have been a barrier. But as with former Saints team-mate and now club rival, Theo Walcott the media can forget how young these starlets are.
Knowing that Spurs’ regular left-back Assou-Ekotto would be temporarily departing for the African Cup of Nations in January, Bale had time to prepare for his reintroduction to the starting XI. Assou-Ekotto did not travel to that tournament after sustaining a groin injury but the Welsh international seized his opportunity nonetheless. His progression had been hampered by injury earlier in his career, suffering a broken foot in late 2007. However, this extended run of games was the making of a man blessed with astounding energy. Seemingly capable of running all day, Redknapp made the prescient decision to use him as an attacking winger. From this position he was able to deliver varied, incisive balls into the box more regularly and torment his opposing full-backs. He put Bacary Sagna and Paulo Ferreira to the sword in Tottenham’s back to back victories over Arsenal and Chelsea last season. Bale scored in both games revealing an appetite for the biggest occasions.
He was undoubtedly an important part of the club’s successful push to qualify for the Champions League and perhaps his manager had faith in his skills all along. “He’s stronger, mentally tougher, a fantastic athlete and has great ability. He can do everything.” Enjoying the renewed confidence of his manger, colleagues and the adoring crowd, Bale has not lost any momentum from last season. He bagged a brace at the Britannia Stadium which included that volley and created all four goals in their second leg play-off victory against Young Boys. Bale has drawn comparisons with compatriot Ryan Giggs and John Toshack revealed last week that Spurs had received a major offer for the winger this summer.
Regardless of the scale of that bid, Bale is integral to the club’s Champions League ambitions as they seek to compete with illustrious names such as Inter Milan. But should he be concerned by Spurs’ deadline day acquisition of Rafael van der Vaart? The Tottenham boss certainly has a slew of attacking options at his disposal and may find the squad unbalanced by attempting to fit in Bale, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and the Dutchman. Bale has intermittently been shifted back to defence, as he was in the second half of their defeat to Wigan, but it should not become a regular occurrence. However, now his talent and enormous potential has been unleashed it would hard to imagine it being contained.
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Gareth Bale has been awarded Goal of the Week for this wonderful volley:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=f2344ANe_3E%26hl%3Den_US%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded%26version%3D3