Gareth Frank Bale.Currently the toast of English football.
The ultimate dream of a winger.The young spike that has added far more sting than ever in the Spurs of north london.
On 2 November 2010, after a Champions League group stage match against Internazionale, teammate Rafael van der Vaart said, "Everyone is scared of him [Bale]. Maicon is one of the best right-backs in the world — he killed him."
That sums up the phenomenon that Tottenham have unearthed.
Already a highly sought-after commodity in the transfer market,Spurs credibility in the Champions league has been rubber stamped by Bale's class.
The amazing runs down the left wings would even make Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi proud.The ferocity of his game after the ball,his turf burning pace are not just skills that are raw and precocious.He worked hard to acquire them.Unlike the superstars named above,Bale's path to fame was not a bed of roses.Injuries,ligament tears and coming to terms with the hardest league in the world together with bad form and lack of confidence once saw him go on a win less streak of 24 games.But his will to succeed and the self confidence in his abilities turned on the afterburners in the highway of football glory.
Bale evolved as he matured and he laced his physical game with lethal precision that are necessary to make it on top as a winger.Initially a substitute for Benoit Assou-Ekotto,Bale now is a regular starter.Now he does not just help his defensive partner in his full back role,but together with another Spurs star Modric he turns defense into attack in the blink of an eye.It is amazing though.When he started out at Southampton with another pacy winger by the name of Theo Walcott,he was actually rated below him.Walcott is quicker and found his way and destiny in rivals Arsenal,but he finds it difficult to evolve in that highly competitive side.The big reason for Bale's success is because Bale has found with starting regularly that it is not just how you use your skills in the turf but also that the game is not just about speed or power ,its also about being at the right place at the right time.Now that makes him very hot to handle.Spurs were generally an unfancied side.But not anymore.After tearing apart opposition defenses of world class pedigree such as Maicon and Lucio;Bale,is more respected than any other winger in England.The sole exception has been Rafael da Silva,but the Brazilian too is a prodigy that matches Bale's class.But then Bale has been playing week after week while it has not been the same for Rafael.Bale's amazing gifts have been touted highly and he was eligible to play for England,but he chose Wales.That suffice to say defines why England have been so wayward in international football.Too much changing and no patience with youngsters.City,United Real Madrid Barcelona and Inter all have been associated with Bale but it is important he stays put,because he is not a finished product.He has a lot to learn and unlike the other young superstars should learn to be motivated by the passion for the game and not the money and fame.That makes the Ronaldo's and Messi's assets in their teams.Already midway in the season,he has made a lot of teams uncomfortable.Arsenal have bitten the dust in their own backyard.Chelsea squandered points at 3 point lane for the third time.Liverpool and City have struggled.In fact the only team that has been successful in bottling him up is United.Probably next time wont be so easy for the aging United defense against the developing superstar of tomorrow that is Bale.
Only 21,Bale has a long way to go.A very long one.The curling crosses will be more dangerous.The shots will have more power and experience will mould his skills as a great footballer.Of course the paychecks will also get fatter.Hopefully that wont be the case with his chained to the ground head.Touch-wood.Good luck Gareth!
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