Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has lauded the performances of Gareth Bale claiming the Welshman has the potential to be one of the best left sided players in the Premier League. It was his undoubted potential that led to a number of clubs pursuing Bale prior to his move from Southampton to Spurs in 2007, most notably Manchester United and Liverpool FC.
Manchester United and Liverpool FC’s loss has seemingly been Tottenham Hotspur’s gain, and while acknowledging the performances the 20-year-old is already producing, Redknapp backed the White Hart Lane star to emerge as one of the finest players in the modern game.
Bale left Southampton in 2007 with a huge reputation amid interest from Manchester United and Liverpool FC, and a lofty price-tag, which could see Tottenham Hotspur pay upwards of £10 million in add-ons, but he initially struggled to nail down a starting place at White Hart Lane. His formative years at the club were heavily disrupted by injury and loss of form, and it was only after Benoît Assou-Ekotto left for the African Nations Cup, did Bale get an extended chance in Spurs’ starting line-up. Redknapp suggests the player has never looked back and is now finally showing his true potential.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager told the club’s official website: “Gareth is playing superbly, he's been in great form,"
"I didn't want to shift him from the left-back position because he's been outstanding there but we didn't have many spare bodies at Fulham.”
"He can play wide left or left-back anyway, he can do both jobs and he was a real threat. He's in great form and is full of confidence."
"He's got bigger and stronger and people forget he's still only a young lad,"
"He's toughened up a lot, his attitude is stronger, he's physically stronger, mentally stronger and he has terrific ability, pace, a great left foot - he's got everything.”
"I think he will go on to be one of the best left-backs or left-sided players in the modern game."