Spurs confirmed Saturday that they have acquired Gareth Bale from Real Madrid for a one-year loan deal. The Welsh winger returns to the brand new White Hart Lane 7 years after he left for Madrid. Bale will wear the number 9 kit, given that Erik Lamela has taken number 11.
The Star of White Hart Lane
Gareth Bale’s career at Tottenham was more than successful. He was the best player Tottenham had to offer for years, given the team was not a regular contender for Champions League spot at the time. When Tottenham did make the Champions League in the 10/11 season, Bale grabbed the opportunity to show his explosive potential. When Tottenham was 0:4 down at San Siro against Inter, Bale humiliated Maicon, the best right-back in the world at the time, by scoring a hat-trick from the left side. The first two goals even seemed identical, as Bale simply used his pace to destroy Maicon on the sideline. Although Spurs eventually lost the game 3:4, Bale’s name occupied the headlines of nearly every sports paper in Europe. Tottenham supporters knew that they were witnessing a superstar in the making.
The turning point of Gareth Bale’s career came in the 2012/13 season. Realizing that playing Bale as a left-back was a waste of the player’s attacking ability, André Villas-Boas decided to let the Welsh play as a winger or a second striker. The switch from a defender to an attacker entirely unlocked Bale’s potential. He scored 21 league goals that season and created several classics single-handedly.
After the blistering season, Bale attracted the attention of Real Madrid. The Spanish giant spent over 80 million pounds to bring the Welsh star to Santiago Bernabéu. Rumors said that Bale’s transfer sum was even higher than Ronaldo’s. Since then, Bale joined Ronaldo and Benzema to form one of the most formidable attacking combinations in the world.
Will Bale Thrive at Tottenham Again?
The last few seasons have not been easy for Bale. The Welsh suffered from leg injuries. Moreover, Zidane seemed not to favor Bale as his top choice. Bale lost the starting position in Zidane’s game plan while the relationship between the two was constantly worsening. The Spanish media were also criticizing the Welsh for not willing to learn Spanish (never confirmed) and “valuing golf over football”. It seems leaving is the only choice for Bale.
Returning to White Hart Lane might be the perfect choice for Bale. It’s not only about the good old times. The tactical potential of the Welsh at Spurs is more than promising. In the league game against Southampton, Mourinho’s experiment of playing Kane further from the opposing penalty area was a success. Kane did not deliver satisfying performance in the first round’s game against Everton. The British forward found himself often wrestling with opposing center backs. His work rate and efficiency were both low. If Mourinho decides to put Kane in a deeper position like what he did in Southampton’s match, Kane could be released from a lot of pressure. On the other hand, the British forward will be able to show his abilities in delivering through passes and organizing the tempo. That’s when Bale comes in. Although Bale’s pace has declined due to injuries, he has developed abilities to charge into the penalty area through his years at Madrid. When Kane pulls back more, Bale can fill the space with Son and share some of the center forward’s responsibilities to release Kane from the pressure. The system was already proven successful at Real Madrid, with Son taking the responsibility of Ronaldo while Kane plays Benzema’s role.
Conclusion
Despite Bale’s decline in recent years, his tactical potential is still significant to Mourinho’s system. With Bale at the attacking line, Kane could share some responsibilities of the midfield. One year after Christian Erikson left for Inter, Tottenham has the potential to finally find a solution to the lack of creativity in the midfield. If Bale can stay healthy, Tottenham will still be a contender for the top 3 spots.
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