There’s been a fair amount of talk of late about the past, present and future of Tottenham’s winged-wonder Gareth Bale. We’ve heard how he would find it difficult to turn down a move to one of the Spanish Giants, how he snubbed Manchester United earlier in his career and why he chose Wales over England. But what are we supposed to make of Bale’s frank and open approach to his career?
Speaking to Match of the Day magazine, Bale explained why he opted to move to Spurs back in 2007: “Man United were interested in me but I wanted to play first-team football, I thought I had a better chance of getting that at Tottenham.”
Whilst United were interested in the Welsh wizard, there’s no evidence that they ever made a concrete bid for him as a youngster. Regardless, it’s pleasing to see that Bale made the right choice in regards to his career progression. He opted to join the club who could offer him the most game time, not the most money.
In the same interview he also spoke about why he chose to be part of the Welsh National side set-up, when he could have played for England: “I’m a proud Welshman – that’s why I didn’t choose to play for England. I could have, but I’d rather be Welsh!”
Again – that’s fair enough. He’s not one of those players who choose to play for a lesser side because they know they won’t get into their favoured National side. There are plenty of Brazilians out there currently plying their trade for European International sides, but Bale’s situation is somewhat different. He would be a nailed on starter for England, but he choose to play for the country he feels most closely affiliated to.
All of which speaks of a man who listens to his head whilst following his heart. Which, I feel sheds some light on the quotes that recently appeared in The Telegraph where he claimed: “If you are talking about Barcelona or Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world, then it’s a bit like Harry and England, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream”.
“If you said to any young player that you could play for Barcelona or Real would they turn it down? Probably not.”
Yes he went on to admit that there had been no bid for him and that he was ‘just concentrating on Tottenham’ but I have little doubt that Spurs fans will be riled up by his comments. It’s the kind of thing that can spark a bidding war in the summer (and if you look at the Cesc Fabregas saga – that’s clearly something that you want to avoid).
It strikes me that whilst Bale’s head is currently in Tottenham, his heart lies elsewhere and it seems he has other aspirations when it comes to furthering his career. As disappointing as this may be it’s difficult to denounce the lure of a club like Barcelona.
All Tottenham can do is attempt to provide as much reward as those clubs can (through the chance of silverware, Champions League football and a decent paycheck) and hope that Bale doesn’t fall foul of a Spanish temptress.
What’s your take? Can you see Bale making a move to Spain in the future?
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I don’t think ‘most’ Spurs fans were riled by what he said. I certainly wasn’t.
In fact, once again, it was a player being asked leading question and then journalists having a field day with the answers.
The quote was taken out of context. What he actually said was “IF A BID WAS ACCEPTED then it would be hard…blah, blah, blah.” That is a far cry from a player agitating for a move. He’s not. He has said several times that he is happy where he is and feels his career development with benefit from a few more seasons, at least, at WHL.
He has plenty of time lest on his contract, so, unless the Levy accepts a bid, it is business as usual – with the media, again, trying to break up a promising Spurs squad as soon as it begins to develop!
Well put SP … the ‘IF’ makes for some different reading. Certainly not agitating for a move.
In any case had Bale said he’d no ambition to play for either Barca or Madrid, then either he’s one of very few prem players who wouldn’t or lying.
Also, what are barca going to do to turn his head? They haven’t got that much money, and I’m not sure they can stir up his Catalan blood like fabregas. Finally, he talks about playing time being why he chose spurs. Would he get that at barca, in front of pedro, villa, messi, Sanchez, etc? Course he could go to Madrid where they have the money, but again he’s a left winger trying to get into a team with CR7, kaka, ozil, di Maria. I’m not so sure myself.