Darren Bent says while Bale hasn’t been as explosive as we all wanted him to be on his return to Tottenham, there is no doubt that the Welshman still brings something to the table.
The Real Madrid loanee has been criticised for not bringing that extra edge that fans expected from him when Spurs signed him on loan.
Some have even suggested that he will never reach the heights that he once occupied.
But Bent reckons that while he isn’t delivering consistently on the field, the attacker is making a huge contribution to Tottenham’s effort this season.
He says that Jose Mourinho is a manager that has won several trophies and has been key to Tottenham’s success this season, so is Bale who has also won several trophies in his career.
Bent states that while Bale doesn’t have so much of an impact on the field, he brings a winning mindset to the dressing room.
“His impact on that team has not necessarily been on the pitch.” Bent told Football Insider.
“At times last night [Wednesday], the Bale of old would have got the ball and opened his legs up, push the ball and you could get nowhere near him.
“I wonder, can he still do that?
“Other than his goal, I don’t think Bale pulled up any trees. But he gets the goal and papers over the cracks.
“He showed flashes but I feel like I’m still yet to see him open up and sprint. I wonder, is there still a little bit of an issue there? Is he potentially a little bit unsure in his body because he doesn’t want anything to break down?
“But his impact has been off the pitch in the changing room: it’s his winning mentality.
“You’ve got a manager there who’s a serial winner and you’ve got Bale who’s a serial winner.”
Unless Bale has some long term injury holding him back there should be no reason he can’t contribute. He’s thirty one not forty one, Ronaldo and Messi are still tearing it up and it’s not as if Gareth has been overused. But we need him now it won’t help us much if he hits form in May.
Arsenal would be nice 1 other. 😆. Sheff utd are done for sure. They were so good last year as well.
He will deliver, i hope.. He’s already scored two crucial headers for us. Carrying niggling injuries after 2 years of bit part playing. He has to do more of course. It’s still early doors really considering he had no pre season and also slightly injured.
Plus one.. I would love to train with and learn from Bale.. From the kids all the way up to Kane, all the players will learn from him.. Kane is taking free kicks differently now if you notice. Still yet to score one but he has hit the target twice now, though one was a deflection off the wall.. Before they were all high, wide and not at all handsome.
Stop the madness, please.
He’s no slouch though
Getting Modric in on loan would have been a more productive option!
Yes there are glimpses but clearly expecting the raw pace of Bale of old ain’t going to happen!!
He will. He’s been out the game for about a year. He’ll come good. Too much quality and experience not to.
You have lost me😃
Brighton look destined for the drop plus Sheff Utd and 1 other.
We did not get him in for sentimental reasons. We got him to deliver!
“pointless exercise? Don’t be soft. He’s been fantastic to have around the place. Youts dem love him at Hotspur way
if Bale helps us win a trophy it’s worthwhile otherwise it’s been a pointless exercise!
Yea. He brings his cup winners medals to the table. Copying the accent of Gladys Pugh, “You lot can also get them….. mind you, stop playing like half wits” in Welsh.