Both fantastic players, Bale gets the more hype as he is British but that's not his fault. He'd be sensational here, Valencia is the more consistent but that maybe the fact he's in a better team. Bale has the extra in his locker right now its close as on their day they are both unplayable for any full back. Having Bale here and keeping Nani and Valencia would be a dream pairing any the two and one as a sub to come on plus teams would struggle to double up on any one winger. We would be devastating on the wings just like we are up front with RVP Rooney Hernandez and Welbeck.
Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!
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"direct danger to a team " 
That is nonsense; Bale does not have more pace than Valencia - that is the hyperbole of him seriously outpacing Maicon a couple of seasons back. Valencia is clocked as the fastest runner with the ball, and if you look at some of his runs into the box, I doubt if Bale would keep up with him.
Whenever I see Bale play, which is a fair bit, I keep thinking that he never creates much as a winger. His acceleration isn't blistering so he can't get away from quick fullbacks like Rafael, thus leaving him to rely on his top speed, but he rarely uses it when he constantly wants to cut in and miss the target. If Nani or Valencia had wasted as many attacks as Bale by shooting from ridiculous positions, we would go mental in here.
No.
They are both very quick, both are explosive and strong runners true athletes. Am I hallucinating or was Hernandez clocked as the fastest player at the world cup? (I know both Valencia and Bale were not there but Hernandez for me doesn't look like a Walcot different types of runners i'd imagine Hernandez is faster over first 10 yards could be wrong though)
Yeah he does not saying Valencia isn't any good at crossing his drive the ball over can be awesome but Bales is better for me as he has much more variety and thought in his crossing and often does it a full pelt.
Bale will better than Valencia if not already.
Valencia of 6 months last year was unbelievable but apart from that Valencia isn't better.
Valencia of 6 months last year was unbelievable but apart from that Valencia isn't better.
Both are very quick, but to say that Bale is faster is believing the hype; he has never been able to outpace Rafael, not even on a longer run, whereas Valencia has practically outpaced every fullback I've seen him come up against - and that run against Liverpool to reach the ball before he was awarded a penalty was just
Hernandez was clocked as the fastest, but I cannot believe that he really is. Surely Walcott, Valencia and Bale all have higher top speeds. I would also think Lennon has better acceleration, but lately I've been very impressed with Hernandez' pace - he seems to have regained it from his first season.
Bale has never had a run of 6 months where he has been unbelievable - he has had a couple of games here and there.
Both are very quick, but to say that Bale is faster is believing the hype; he has never been able to outpace Rafael, not even on a longer run, whereas Valencia has practically outpaced every fullback I've seen him come up against - and that run against Liverpool to reach the ball before he was awarded a penalty was just
Hernandez was clocked as the fastest, but I cannot believe that he really is. Surely Walcott, Valencia and Bale all have higher top speeds. I would also think Lennon has better acceleration, but lately I've been very impressed with Hernandez' pace - he seems to have regained it from his first season.
Yes, on a longer run, he would lose out to Valencia, Walcott, Lennon, Agbonlahor and Bale. His 10-20 yards' little runs are second to none as far as strikers go mind you.
That is a big problem with him. Not even close to being as consistent as someone like Valencia.
You'll do extremely well to find an out and out winger as consistent as Valencia. He's a freak in that aspect so probably shouldn't be taken as an example.
Bale does need to improve it at least to a certain extent, if not, he'll never become world-class.
Yes, but both Bale(before he started doing a Ronaldo) and Valencia stick to doing what they do best and not try out too many fancy stuff which makes them more consistent than other wingers. Even then, Bale wasnt as consistent as valencia. His consistency has taken a massive dip after he's started moving all around the pitch and understandably so.
Regarding the last bit, i think he needs to stick to the byline more often than not to become a more consistent and effective player. I still understand it from his POV as it makes him a better player long term but why Spurs managers let him do it when it considerably weakens them as a unit baffles me.
18 goals in 16 games?
You could forgive a player for standing around scratching his hole every game with those kind of stats.
I think Bale is a super player. Would love to see him at Utd.
But taking him over Valencia? No chance.
But taking him over Valencia? No chance.
Both are very quick, but to say that Bale is faster is believing the hype; he has never been able to outpace Rafael, not even on a longer run, whereas Valencia has practically outpaced every fullback I've seen him come up against - and that run against Liverpool to reach the ball before he was awarded a penalty was just
Hernandez was clocked as the fastest, but I cannot believe that he really is. Surely Walcott, Valencia and Bale all have higher top speeds. I would also think Lennon has better acceleration, but lately I've been very impressed with Hernandez' pace - he seems to have regained it from his first season.
In that game, Rafael played some smart defending and kept very tight on Bale. He was forced to play with his back towards the goal and hardly had a chance to run at Rafael. There were two occasions, however, I remember where he absolutely skinned Rafael. One was when Spurs was on the counter and he knocked the ball past Rafael and torched him. The other was when he cut inside and ran through the middle with Rafael hardly able to catch up.
To say that Bale is not able to outpace Rafael is seriously underrating Bale's pace because Bale's longer legs and athleticism will allow him to generate more torque as opposed to Rafael's.
And Valencia hasn't outpaced every fullback he's come up against. Just a few months ago, Mattew Briggs from Fulham matched him stride for stride in the 3-2 win. Its is not that clear cut.
Anyway, pace is really irrelevant when you're talking about players who are as quick as Valencia or Bale. Valencia is the more effective winger because he generally stays in his position, keeps his passes simple and will always attempt the get the cross in first. He doesn't try to complicate things, so in that sense you can say that he is really an old-fashioned winger. Bale's game is evolving, so obviously he'd try something different and have more to his game. Now Bale is playing quite shite, but in the long run, I think he'll become a better player than Valencia.
Good to see we've reached new heights in comparing players' attributes...
Crazy is a stronger word than silly.
I would also add "scowling" to Valencia's advantages.
I would also add "scowling" to Valencia's advantages.
Both are very quick, but to say that Bale is faster is believing the hype; he has never been able to outpace Rafael, not even on a longer run, whereas Valencia has practically outpaced every fullback I've seen him come up against - and that run against Liverpool to reach the ball before he was awarded a penalty was just
Hernandez was clocked as the fastest, but I cannot believe that he really is. Surely Walcott, Valencia and Bale all have higher top speeds. I would also think Lennon has better acceleration, but lately I've been very impressed with Hernandez' pace - he seems to have regained it from his first season.
I think Valencia is probably the quicker sprinter but for me Bale is faster over a distance and also crucially when dribbling the ball. Valencia always needs to engineer half a yard to knock it past an opponent, wheras Bale's better close control at speed allows him to change direction easier and also to apply a more subtle change of pace.
Bale has outpaced Rafael a few times man, I've even seen him blister away from Cristiano Ronaldo at Wembley he's fecking fast and his acceleration is rapid.
That run of Valencia's you refer to is a bit overrated, he sprinted to reach it which was a sight fair enough....but the run itself he was completely unopposed....plus he very nearly fecked up his hard work dithering on the ball before gaining what was ultimately a fortunate penalty.
The problem with the way they test speed during games means that whichever player has had the opportunity to get up to top speed during a longer run is likely to be considered the "fastest". Hence why Ballack and Fabregas - as players who are more likely to carry out a box-to-box direct run - were up at the top of the speed rankings the last time this was measured in the Premiership
The goal against France I think. I think that Chicha is the fastest player in PL in 10-20 meters.
Whenever I watch Bale lately he seems to be suffering from 'player who is bigger than his club' syndrome.
Not in terms of Spurs being a small club (which they aren't) or from Bale being a stunning player (which he isn't - yet), but more that he seems to play like he feels that he needs to put in a match-winning display every single week. He tries too hard, and I'm sure its just a phase that he will grow out of.
Stick Bale in a massive club with a team full of superstars and I think we'd see a more humble player, and he'd be better for it.
Not in terms of Spurs being a small club (which they aren't) or from Bale being a stunning player (which he isn't - yet), but more that he seems to play like he feels that he needs to put in a match-winning display every single week. He tries too hard, and I'm sure its just a phase that he will grow out of.
Stick Bale in a massive club with a team full of superstars and I think we'd see a more humble player, and he'd be better for it.
Valencia is more consistent than (Bale, Nani) because he usually makes the safest decisions. Sometimes, you need to take risks, have confidence to take on a player and have a shot. Nani and Bale have done that quite often. Since they are not as good as players like Messi, Rooney,Ronaldo, RVP and the likes they will make more mistakes when they take risks.
Although Nani at times even fails to do the basics right and it's infuriating.
Valencia is one of my favourite players in the league. The best crosser of a ball in the league for me. His pace and power if scary at times, watching defenders trying to stop him is a bit like someone trying to stand in front of a train at times. Too fast and too strong at the best of times.
I don't think Bale feels the need to be a match winner every week, but I think he wants to be a match winner every week. I just think the guys heads starting to disappear up his own ass.
I don't think Bale feels the need to be a match winner every week, but I think he wants to be a match winner every week. I just think the guys heads starting to disappear up his own ass.
I can see where you're coming from. Both are good wingers, but I'd say that most are underrating Bale if they say that Valencia's better.
That's not worded great, but I'd say Bale just wins out on pace compared to Valencia. He is more of a direct threat as well. While both are fairly one dimensional, traditional wingers, Bale's better at cutting in and posing a threat to goal. Contrast to Valencia who isn't as much of a direct goal threat, but who is the better crosser of the two and generally has more accurate delivery.
I'd say Bale's the better overall winger, but both are very good and I'm more than happy with Valencia here.
If I had to choose one it would be Bale. He's gone backwards since drifting inside. I'm not sure who's idea it was but he seems like he's trying to be some complete attacker like Ronaldo which he can never be. But managed properly and not allowed to think the world of himself, I'd pick himself over Valencia. They're very similar but Bale is quicker, slightly less one dimensional and has more goal threat while Valencia is stronger and seems tougher mentally. I'd still pick Bale.
The only reason not to sign Bale to be our (finally ffs) Giggs replacement on the left is that he would cost more than we can spend.
He is better than any other option in England for a truly left footed, out and out winger. If we could have him for under £30m we already would.
He is better than any other option in England for a truly left footed, out and out winger. If we could have him for under £30m we already would.
Yes, a good left-footed winger is hard to find, so that's another of Bale's assets.
I would argue that Baines is better. And Valencia has not displayed those characteristics enough so far this season.
Regarding Bale....doesn't every footballer strive to be a matchwinner every week? Doesn't mean they are not team players.
Yeah this is what I feel. Also agree in ways with some of the points others made about his consistency compared to Valencia at times. As Anver said though, Bale on his day can be destructive where as Valencia never is in that way, only through assists and dominating the full backs. Bale has those old Ronaldo moments from time to time, where he can win a game on his own. Valencia in the one v one against Blackurn away after we lost at home to Chelsea sums up his direct attacking play on goal for me. Great on the wing though.
The hype as I mentioned does piss me off, and I do yo yo my views about Bale from time to time, although would be sure interesting to see him at United, I reckon he's better than Young now, at 23, and will be better than Valencia game to game too. Put it this way, Bale now is better than Valencia was at Wigan, no?
People can be as snotty as they like about being a mind reader or whatever but I'm convinced SAF would move for him if he thought he could get him without a ball ache, there's no question about that!
Di maria > Bale
at the right price, i'll like to see him in our team. i always prefer a left footed player on our left wing, it has been quite some time since giggsy used to run up and down our there.
the big problem is that he is with spurs. 30million is not going to be enough.
the big problem is that he is with spurs. 30million is not going to be enough.
An interesting call that actually might not be the wrong call. But if you're staffing up the player roster for Man United you go with Bale over Di Maria every without a moment's hesitation.
I think he has all the attributes to become a really good player. He is just playing for the wrong club at the.moment.
Yeah this is what I feel. Also agree in ways with some of the points others made about his consistency compared to Valencia at times. As Anver said though, Bale on his day can be destructive where as Valencia never is in that way, only through assists and dominating the full backs. Bale has those old Ronaldo moments from time to time, where he can win a game on his own. Valencia in the one v one against Blackurn away after we lost at home to Chelsea sums up his direct attacking play on goal for me. Great on the wing though.
The hype as I mentioned does piss me off, and I do yo yo my views about Bale from time to time, although would be sure interesting to see him at United, I reckon he's better than Young now, at 23, and will be better than Valencia game to game too. Put it this way, Bale now is better than Valencia was at Wigan, no?
People can be as snotty as they like about being a mind reader or whatever but I'm convinced SAF would move for him if he thought he could get him without a ball ache, there's no question about that!
Didn't we already bid for him in 07 or 08 only to be turned down? Lack of first team opportunities was the reason apparently.
I'm not talking about one game either. On several occasions, Rafael has shown that he can keep up with Bale. This one match, he matched him on a 20-25 yard run from the middle of the pitch down towards the corner flag; Rafael won! Amazing run from two fast players was the commentators reaction. In that same match, Rafael won another run and skinned Bale afterwards.
All fast players will skin their defenders from time to time; if the defender is left standing on the wrong leg, then the winger will have a great advantage - and I doubt Rafael would be able to catch Bale once up to speed with a couple of yards ahead.
As for your hypothesis about long legs: Do you remember this Dutch fellow called Overmars? Not very long legs, but blistering pace.
Valencia looks slow whenever he is off form, but when he hits form and his confidence grows, he basically outruns and outmuscles everyone I've seen him come up against (Taiwo matched him pretty well, tbf).
The bolded bit is very true. Valencia is everything but agile - he uses his pace and strength to get past defenders; reminds me a bit about a discussion between a Willy's Jeep and a Hummer - with the Willy's you drove between the trees, with the Hummer you ran over them - I remember how Valencia outpaced and outmuscled Baines something awful a couple of seasons back.
I saw that run from Bale vs Ronaldo - wasn't that after Ronaldo had played for 80min and Bale just came on and Ronaldo didn't even bother to chase him?
Sure, Bale has outpaced Rafael, but Rafael has also outpaced Bale on a longer run, and he is certainly quicker acceleration wise, which isn't Bale's biggest strength, imo.
Where Bale excels for me is his left foot - there aren't that many great left footed players - and his agility coupled with his great pace. He is also able to drift inwards more than Valencia, although he isn't yet good enough at this.
As some say, he may well become better than Valencia, but atm I would put Valencia just ahead - not much in it though.