Can Tottenham keep hold of Gareth Bale this summer?

Can Tottenham keep hold of their star man Gareth Bale this summer?

Last night Tottenham defeated West Ham 3-2 at the Boleyn Ground and once again Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale was the star of the show, scoring a superb opener and scoring an even better winner on 90 minutes.

Unstoppable

Gareth Bale has become almost unstoppable in recent months. The Welshman has won games on his own at times for Spurs at times in recent games. Opponents are now terrified of Bale’s pace and power.

Progress

This season Gareth Bale has just got better as the season has progressed, after a difficult start to the season. Bale has moved to the next level this season and now has to be considered as one of the best players in the English top flight.

I don’t think he can quite be considered on the same level as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo just yet, but Bale can go on to achieve big things in the game.

He is starting to look like a player that could go on to become a world-class player at the highest level, if he isn’t already there now. At just 23 he has a lot of time to improve and develop as a player.

Position

Gareth Bale started out at Southampton as a left-back and gradually has moved further forward on the pitch. The Welshman has moved so far forward that he is now influencing the game from just behind the striker.

The 23 year-old almost now seems wasted on the left-wing. He can still have a major influence on the wing, but he has become too good a footballer to be thrown out onto the wing.

Bale does often cut inside from his wing position to see more of the ball, but a move to a more central role could be the future for the Welshman.

Level-headed

Gareth Bale always comes across as a very level headed sort of guy. In his post-match interview after yesterday’s game he praised his teammates, despite the fact that he had scored a brace and basically won the game for his team.

Speculation

Every time Bale has a good game Bale’s stock grows. The former-Southampton star has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in recent months.

Real Madrid are looking for a fresh start next season, with the future of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho in doubt. One, if not both are expected to leave in the summer.

Los Blancos are believed to be very keen on signing Bale and a fee of £60million has been mooted. According to reports the Real Madrid hierarchy see Gareth Bale as a long-term successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, even though he is just five years younger than the Portuguese star.

I don’t think Bale could be considered a direct replacement for Ronaldo. However, the thought of Bale and Ronaldo playing together would be a prospect to relish for Real Madrid fans.

Real Madrid are desperate to challenge Barcelona again next season. That will probably mean that Los Blancos will go out this summer and spend big. Bale has to be at the top of their shopping list.

There has also been speculation that Premier League leaders Manchester United are looking to add Bale to their squad for next season.

Crucial

Tottenham have to make the Champions League positions this season. If they don’t finish in the top four this season then I believe there is a big possibility that Gareth Bale could leave the club.

He doesn’t sound like a player that is looking to leave Spurs at this point and seems to be enjoying his football. However, Gareth Bale needs to be playing in the Champions League to help him improve as a player.

He came to prominence in the Champions League by destroying Brazilian full-back Maicon in Europe’s elite competition, after never really nailing a regular first team place in the Tottenham team earlier in his career.

He has to return to that competition and showcase his growing ability on the biggest European stage for the sake of his own development.

I don’t think that Gareth Bale will leave White Hart Lane this summer, but his performances have certainly attracted attention. Unless Spurs move forward as a club the Welshman will leave in the near future and that would spell disaster for the north London club.

Gareth Bale has the potential to go on to become one of the best British players of his generation and that won’t happen if he is playing in the Europa League. I’m sure everybody connected with Spurs knows the importance of finishing in the top four, and not just in financial terms, but in terms of keeping one of the standout performers of this season.

Can Tottenham keep hold of Gareth Bale this summer?