The Soccer Blog: Champions League not pivotal for Bale to stay

Saturday 23 April 2011

Champions League not pivotal for Bale to stay

By: Elmesy | April 22nd, 2011
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bale All the talk around White Hart Lane is of champions league qualification, and quite rightly so. It is the one thing that every Spurs fan wants. It will mean continued success at the highest level, growth for the club and increased financial riches. It will also give us the ability to hang on to our top players like Luka Modric, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Gareth Bale. Or will it? In Bale’s case at least, there is a strong indication that suggests qualification for the Champions League may not be enough to keep the talented Welshman at White Hart Lane .

Bale has made it very clear that he wants to play at the top level on a regular basis, and he recently admitted himself, his nationality will deny him many achievements at International level, which puts an onus on him to achieve things with his club.

Despite us all wanting to believe we can, Spurs cannot guarantee Bale regular Champions league action (not in the same way that Barcelona or Real Madrid could). If we manage to qualify for the Champions League again this season it will be another over achievement for Spurs in a period of our history that is beginning to take on true fairy tale proportions.

Bale has already stated his ambitions, and for him to achieve this with Spurs would be a miracle for both the player and the club. He has talked fondly of Spain and he is being compared to the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, so where else would a confident youngster be turning to? In all honesty you cannot blame Bale for being ambitious. Yet after being developed so brilliantly at a club that has shown a lot of patience with him, it will be disappointing if he does leave either this summer or the next.

When Spurs signed Bale he was a budding left back who seemed to have plenty of potential and a devastating left foot. His ability from set pieces was one of his main attributes and his tender age meant time was on his side to develop the rest of his game. After overcoming injury and a jinx like run of losing appearances, he emerged as a left winger with bale v maicon pace to burn and a box of tricks to rival the best left sided players in the country. After his two games against Inter Milan when he tore apart the Brazilian Maicon, he was immediately elevated to one of the best players in the world alongside the likes of Messi and Ronaldo and thrust into the gaze of all the major clubs in Europe.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think Bale is a fantastic player and someone who could become a world beater. But right now, he is not. To put him in the same league as Messi and Ronaldo at this stage of his career is an insult to the Barcelona and Real Madrid stars and brings unnescessary hype to Bale. The fact remains though, that after his exploits in Europe’s top competition, the big (or should I say bigger) clubs will come calling for him. The temptation to play in Spain is one that Bale is unlikely to refuse and with the correct offer Spurs may well have to sell Bale, sooner rather than later.

Since his return from injury Bale has shown glimpses of the brilliance that got him his recent PFA player award. Yet despite this he has also shown glimpses of selfishness that are not commonplace in the modern day greats of football. When Cristiano Ronaldo first came to Man Utd he had so much arrogance and was so selfish with the ball that he would try and beat the entire defence single handedly every time he had possession. Ferguson sorted that part of his game out and he gradually matured into the world beater he now is, (admittedly keeping a little of the arrogance) showcasing his skills when necessary and using his team mates around him to achieve far greater success on the pitch. Messi is the equal of Ronaldo now, schooled in the correct way, he has never come across as selfish or overindulgent to himself. Even with his undoubted ability on the ball he still has the maturity to play for his team and use his skills at the correct times during a match. This is something Bale needs to bring to his game, not trying to beat five players messi every time he gets the ball, but picking his moments to show his ability. Personally I think all the hype surrounding Bale is beginning to get to him and Redknapp needs to address this before he becomes a one man show. In recent games he has been guilty of giving away possession much more than usual and choosing the wrong options on the pitch that he seemed so good at making previously. He should, and most likely will learn when to pass and when to dribble. It took Ronaldo a while to learn this so we should not expect Bale to be there just yet. He needs to understand that the better you are, the harder it is to influence a match. The more the opposition knows you, the more they close you down, double mark you and stand off you, already aware of your pace. Then sometimes it becomes important to occupy the opposition without the ball rather than with it.

It is completely understandable to imagine a young talented player like Bale getting carried away with all the media attention. Being out injured for a while also aids your status as a player (footballers seem to get better the less they play, just ask Gareth Barry and Joe Cole) but he needs to play with the hunger and enthusiasm that got him where he is now, and not resort to the individual showmanship that is more likely to get him enemies rather than fans.

If you ask any Spurs fan who was the best player of the season so far, I am sure that a large majority of them would say Luka Modric or Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale would be up there, but first? I am not so sure. Now I know some people will be reading this and thinking, is this guy a Spurs fan? Well I am, but if I imagine myself an outsider for a moment and look at Gareth Bale from a neutral point of view, what do I see? The two great games against Inter Milan, a history of injuries, including a susceptible back problem, and just over one continuous season at the top level in football. If someone wants to pay us £50m for him already, then is that such bad business? I can imagine there are not many people outside Liverpool who think Andy Carroll is worth £35m after one season, and Bale £50m? if that’s the fee that Spurs are offered I think they would be stupid to turn it down.

It is more than likely that an offer will be made in the summer and I for one am expecting Spurs to accept it. Bale will definitely welcome the move and you can’t blame him for that. We saw in January the player power exerted by Torres for his move to Chelsea and Spurs will be powerless to prevent Bale from leaving.

We have seen in interviews that Redknapp continues to big up Gareth Bale, even when the added attention could orchestrate an incoming bid. Ask him a similar question about Luka Modric though and you will get a blatant denial of any possible move away from the club. I think Harry knows that he may have to sell Bale, and if he does he will make sure that he gets top dollar for him. Unfortunately for us Spurs fans, this day could be coming sooner rather than later, even if we do qualify for the Champions League this season.

Spurs contiue their push for fourth at home to West Brom on Saturday.

Some Related Spurs Posts:Young Boys; Champions League DrawBale Or Modric Go To United? You’re Living In The Past, FergieChampions League Draw, Pick Your PoisonBrilliant Bale Is Causing A Headache For Spurs FansSack The Juggler

Category: Team News

Tags: Gareth Bale, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric, Spurs, Team News, Tottenham, Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham Hotspur Official Site
Tweet « Sack The Juggler | Home | Comments | Add your comment USASpur | April 22nd, 2011 at 11:38 pm

Very interesting read. Valid points throughout, but I guess the timing of this threw me for a loop. I kind of always felt that Bale’s confidence was something that played into his advantage. Harry does need to wrangle him if necessary, but I thought he latest efforts were largely effected by the absence of Lennon. But you could be spot on with this theory though. With 50 Mil and Niko or Pienaar replacing I could see it being well worth it, but I’m still pleeding for Bale to stay

BucksSpur | April 23rd, 2011 at 3:31 am

Good article and afraid I have to agree that the sun and riches will tempt Bale to Spain this Summer irrespective of where we finish. If we got an offer of £50mil then we should definitely take it PROVIDING the money is re-invested in players. Bale is a fantastic player AT TIMES but over the whole season he disappoints. A few good games have taken him into the limelight and if that can get us a BIG offer then we should sell him. It is far more important to hang onto Luka, he is the heart of the team. Irrespective of finishing 4th or not, irrespective of selling Bale or not, Levy MUST spend big this Summer or we will be finishing 6th next season after Citee and Giropool.

Tony | April 23rd, 2011 at 8:32 am

Totally agree but then what else is new? Tottenham has the history of grooming young stars and then sell them – from Waddle, Gasgoine, to Barbie.

What does Tottenham want to be from now on? Be an also-ran in the Premier League every year and once-in-a-while CL participant? Spurs had a taste of CL and honestly it aint so tough. We are a couple of star players, noticeably finishers upfront, from being a legit CL contender. I firmly believe we couldn’t beat Real but do have a shot at Barca’s weak aerial defense.

With Harry likely to take the England job next year if not sooner, Spurs will to replace him. Perhaps Tottenham should brave the thought of luring the Special One. Jose Maurinho is like a guaranteed success. When was the last time he failed to win a trophy in a season?

Maurinho has openly remarked that he wants to return to the EPL and build his own dynasty. Whatever success he might bring to MU, it won’t be his dynasty because it will be remembered as the SAF legacy. Harry has done a tremendous job for Spurs but I wouldn’t call it a legacy for Maurinho to match. A Spurs dynasty will be a Maurinho’s dynasty.

London is certainly his preferred city for his family. I think if a London club splashes a big budget to him, he would prefer it to MU or MC. Which other London club would have the resource other than Tottenham Hotspurs?

Spurs have the core players in place for Maurinho’s brand of football. Let him get his Eto or Drogba.

EPL and Champions League success? Only if Spurs deviate from its history and open the cheque book.

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