Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!

This is only Bales 3rd season playing consistently as an attacking player. Prior to that he was mainly used as a LB. Yet people dismiss comparisons with Ronaldo. But prior to the 2006/7 season Ronaldo had not got into double figures for a Prem season and loads of fans complained about his inconsistency.

I doubt Bale will ever reach the levels Ronaldo has at Madrid in terms of scoring, but if he continues to improve at the rate he is at the moment, then there is no reason at all why he can't score 20-30 goals per season in the Prem. People talk about Ronaldo as if he was scoring 40 goals per season for us. He scored 31 in the Prem once and never over 20 in other seasons. I think Bale has shown he's got potential to achieve those sort of numbers and still be among the top chance creators in the Prem.

I'm sure if he was playing for us this season he'd have scored 20 and next season even more.
 
Ash_G said:
Plus we don't particularly need another winger.
Click to expand...

MrMojo said:
Given that it looks like Nani is on his way out you'd be happy with Valencia and Young as our wingers?
Click to expand...

Ash_G said:
Nope but I'd rather we look at a winger more in Nani's mould than Bale's.
Click to expand...

Again, your argument seems confused,one moment we don't need another winger, then you follow by saying you're not happy with just Valencia and Young.

Theon said:
Nah that's definitely not true, Bale is as natural a left winger in the entire league. Being left footed obviously helps but he can attack the byline far better than Young can. Young rarely does it, he always cuts inside and prefers to pass it rather than attack the fullback in the way Bale does. Bale is a far more natural winger, it's not even close IMO.

There's no doubt he has started cutting inside more since midway through last season, as Ash says he has had license to drift. But it wasn't natural to him at all and initially made him a less effective player. It was discussed loads in the ff and he really didn't suit it, nor did Spurs who became congested and lost their best attacking asset in their width.

Two things have since happened IMO. One, he's got far better at coming inside with the positions he takes up, previously it all looked a bit random and forced, as if he was just coming inside for the sake of it but I don't get that impression anymore. Secondly, he's picking his moments better. If you watch Spurs he still keeps his width on the left and fires in crosses, but just mixes that up with some runs inside. It isn't as if he's cut out what initially made him such a threat, the width is still there, he's just supplemented it with an extra dimension to his game.

If he came to us I don't think we'd need to change much of his game. Bale of last season was coming in too much which is pointless with Rooney there, but currently he is much more balanced and would fit right in.
Click to expand...

I'm not arguing that Young is a more natural left winger, clearly Bale is as that's how he started. But as things stand today, Bale varies his game much more than Young does, positionally I bet he leaves that left wing spot much more than Young does. So the argument that bringing him in would make us more one dimensional doesn't compute with me.
 
Lol I'm not sure what's confusing, my first comment was about the wingers we had, the second you quoted is after you asked if I'd be happy with val/Young if Nani was sold. To clarify,, if we keep Nani then we don't need a winger if we sell Nani then whilst I wouldn't object to Bale I would think there are other wingers which would be a better fit than him. Hopefully that's clear enough.
 
MrMojo said:
I'm not arguing that Young is a more natural left winger, clearly Bale is as that's how he started. But as things stand today, Bale varies his game much more than Young does, positionally I bet he leaves that left wing spot much more than Young does. So the argument that bringing him in would make us more one dimensional doesn't compute with me.
Click to expand...

He varies his game more because he does both, cuts inside and attacks the FB. Young pretty much just sticks to cutting in or playing a pass inside. You're right Bale has more dimensions to his play, he's pretty much better at every element, but you're wrong about Young IMO.

Not sure if your last sentence is aimed at me? I agree with you that he wouldn't make us more one dimensional, precisely the opposite because he can play as a more conventional left winger, which I think we need, but also offer a threat inside in the way Young, Kagawa and Welbeck can.
 
Ash_G said:
Lol I'm not sure what's confusing, my first comment was about the wingers we had, the second you quoted is after you asked if I'd be happy with val/Young if Nani was sold. To clarify,, if we keep Nani then we don't need a winger if we sell Nani then whilst I wouldn't object to Bale I would think there are other wingers which would be a better fit than him. Hopefully that's clear enough.
Click to expand...

If we're talking about buying Bale in the summer it's a fair assumption that this is on the basis Nani will be sold, which to everyone looks likely.
 
Bale would be sensational acquisition, but at too high a price I suspect. The only serious issue with Bale, however, is what it might mean for Nani. I'd hate to lose Nani, but if the gods have him leaving anyway then an upgrade over Young would certainly be a good thing.

Concerns about Bale being one-dimensional or that he would somehow retard our attack are nonsense. You want attacking players who can dribble, pass, cross and shoot...Bale can do all those things, quite well in fact.

If Bale did move up to United, I would like to see him purge his juvenile goal celebration, but that's a small matter.
 
MrMojo said:
If we're talking about buying Bale in the summer it's a fair assumption that this is on the basis Nani will be sold, which to everyone looks likely.
Click to expand...

Ok well my first comments regarding our wingers was provided Nani didn't go which is hardly a done deal but I agree is seemingly likely. Either way I've never said Bale would be a bad buy/replacement for Nani, personally though I think we could do with a two footed player in the mould of Nani and would prefer that to breaking the bank for Bale. If we were to replace Valencia/Young though then Bale would be first on my list.
 
Theon said:
He varies his game more because he does both, cuts inside and attacks the FB. Young pretty much just sticks to cutting in or playing a pass inside. You're right Bale has more dimensions to his play, he's pretty much better at every element, but you're wrong about Young IMO.

Not sure if your last sentence is aimed at me? I agree with you that he wouldn't make us more one dimensional, precisely the opposite because he can play as a more conventional left winger, which I think we need, but also offer a threat inside in the way Young, Kagawa and Welbeck can.
Click to expand...

No it's not, we're in agreeance here.

That was my point, Bale is a better out and out winger than Young, but he also has the ability to mix it up more and does so. That's why at his moment in time Young is more of a typical winger than Bale, at least positionally.
 
Ash_G said:
Ok well my first comments regarding our wingers was provided Nani didn't go which is hardly a done deal but I agree is seemingly likely. Either way I've never said Bale would be a bad buy/replacement for Nani, personally though I think we could do with a two footed player in the mould of Nani and would prefer that to breaking the bank for Bale. If we were to replace Valencia/Young though then Bale would be first on my list.
Click to expand...

I haven't said you have either.

It's just a strange way of looking at transfers, that the player coming in has to be the same as the player out. If Nani leaves, we don't have to buy a like for like replacement.
 
I'm not making a comparison here, but he reminded me of Ronaldo vs Villa. The positions he got himself into and his finishing was exceptional. I'm of the opinion that he needs a bigger stage now, and I certainly wouldn't mind if it was Old Trafford.

Again though, I don't believe that he is close to Ronaldo's level yet.
 
MrMojo said:
I haven't said you have either.

It's just a strange way of looking at transfers, that the player coming in has to be the same as the player out. If Nani leaves, we don't have to buy a like for like replacement.
Click to expand...

We don't that's true but I think Valencia is similar to him, Bale is better and more versatile and able to operate inside but I don't think he is as versatile as Nani is and that's what I don't think we have when we play without him. Someone who can play on either flank and be a threat going down the line and coming inside on each, that's what I think would be better for us if Nani were to go, I think that sort of player would complement us better.
 
Ash_G said:
We don't that's true but I think Valencia is similar to him, Bale is better and more versatile and able to operate inside but I don't think he is as versatile as Nani is and that's what I don't think we have when we play without him. Someone who can play on either flank and be a threat going down the line and coming inside on each, that's what I think would be better for us if Nani were to go, I think that sort of player would complement us better.
Click to expand...

I've had this discussion before but if you look at the stats for the last two years, Nani has barely played on the left.

Also, if you don't want to break the bank for Bale how much do you think a class, two footed winger, equally adept on both wings will cost.
 
MrMojo said:
I've had this discussion before but if you look at the stats for the last two years, Nani has barely played on the left.

Also, if you don't want to break the bank for Bale how much do you think a class, two footed winger, equally adept on both wings will cost.
Click to expand...

True but it doesn't mean he can't play there, we've been unfortunate in recent years that our wingers have taken turns getting injured, though tbh like I said a Nani/Bale combo would be great. Bale for Valencia/Young would work a treat.

I'm sure we could get someone for around 20mil, we got Kagawa for around 12mil, Arsenal managed to get Carzola for about 17mil, I'm sure there are plenty of talented players out there that we could get which wouldn't cost as much as Bale with the british player premium. Even Hazard at 30ish mil is prob similar to what we would have to pay for Bale and looks a better player for me.

That's all I'm saying, Spurs are notorious for getting top fees for their players and I think Bale has quite a few years left on his contract. Do we desperately need what he brings to the table and at a high transfer fee? Not really imo, unless Nani does go, in which case like I said I think a more like for like player would be better for us.

If we keep Nani I don't think we need Bale at all and would rather spend the cash on other areas of the squad. That said if we could get a decent swap deal for Valencia/Young I'd be ecstatic.
 
Ash_G said:
True but it doesn't mean he can't play there, we've been unfortunate in recent years that our wingers have taken turns getting injured, though tbh like I said a Nani/Bale combo would be great. Bale for Valencia/Young would work a treat.

I'm sure we could get someone for around 20mil, we got Kagawa for around 12mil, Arsenal managed to get Carzola for about 17mil, I'm sure there are plenty of talented players out there that we could get which wouldn't cost as much as Bale with the british player premium. Even Hazard at 30ish mil is prob similar to what we would have to pay for Bale and looks a better player for me.

That's all I'm saying, Spurs are notorious for getting top fees for their players and I think Bale has quite a few years left on his contract. Do we desperately need what he brings to the table and at a high transfer fee? Not really imo, unless Nani does go, in which case like I said I think a more like for like player would be better for us.

If we keep Nani I don't think we need Bale at all and would rather spend the cash on other areas of the squad. That said if we could get a decent swap deal for Valencia/Young I'd be ecstatic.
Click to expand...

Valencia and Young for Bale no way and I am a Bale fan are you serious?

Hazard looks a better player no he doesn't on what we are seeing.

Plus we would have to pay far more than £30mish try 40-50m for Bale now.
 
Lawman said:
Valencia and Young for Bale no way and I am a Bale fan are you serious?

Hazard looks a better player no he doesn't on what we are seeing.

Plus we would have to pay far more than £30mish try 40-50m for Bale now.
Click to expand...

I meant either not both.

I think Hazard looks better, he's better than Bale was at 21.

Well if we did have to pay 40-50 mil then that would further highlight my point that I would rather by someone else than Bale if it means spending that sort of money. Bale isn't three times the player Kagawa is, not more than double the player Carzola/mata/silva is.
 
Bale will stay at Spurs until he has 12-24 months left on his contract and then he'll go somewhere for a reasonable price.
 
I think Bale is a tad underrated on here, I genuinely think that he would be an absolutely outstanding player for United. 10 goals already this season, and a player who under Ferguson could easily go on to be World Class.
 
There's little point in discussing Bale-to-United stuff - apart from academic/entertainment purposes - because if he's sold it won't be to any prem club ... just as with Modric.
 
Stop stirring Glaston. As you well know sometimes the club doesn't have a choice. If Bale really wanted a move to another Prem side he could make it happen. Maybe not when at the start of a shiny new contract but in a few years if he wanted.
 
GlastonSpur said:
There's little point in discussing Bale-to-United stuff - apart from academic/entertainment purposes - because if he's sold it won't be to any prem club ... just as with Modric.
Click to expand...

Just like Berbat... oh.

Just like Carri... oh.
 
GlastonSpur said:
There's little point in discussing Bale-to-United stuff - apart from academic/entertainment purposes - because if he's sold it won't be to any prem club ... just as with Modric.
Click to expand...

Just like there's little point in discussing Spurs qualifying for the Champions League. It just won't happen.
 
#Carl said:
Stop stirring Glaston. As you well know sometimes the club doesn't have a choice. If Bale really wanted a move to another Prem side he could make it happen. Maybe not when at the start of a shiny new contract but in a few years if he wanted.
Click to expand...

I can't really get into a discussion right now as I'm on a mobile, but all I'll say is "trust me" - bale will go to a top club outside the Prem if he wants to leave and is sold. Levy set the new policy with Modric and I don't see it changing.
 
GlastonSpur said:
There's little point in discussing Bale-to-United stuff - apart from academic/entertainment purposes - because if he's sold it won't be to any prem club ... just as with Modric.
Click to expand...

Correct. And for a lot less than you say it will be just as with Modric.
 
Since we're in the realm of fantasy, how about Bale and Ronaldo as our two wingers?

Would the pitch be big enough for both? I think so.
 
Completely hypothetical obviously, but if we did a straight swap, Nani for Bale - What would people's thoughts be? Just trying to find the level people rate bale here, I for one, would much prefer Nani...
 
Jaybezia said:
I believe he meant it more in the sense of 'the club would effectively control his transfer
Click to expand...

That's just a fantasy.If Bale just decides he wants to join Man City at all cost and comes up with sentence that his inner child was screaming for them and Man City hammers Spurs with a huge transfer fee then there is nothing the directors could do about it.
Knowing his price his so valued, only Bale will truly decide where he wants to go.
 
kouroux said:
That's just a fantasy.If Bale just decides he wants to join Man City at all cost and comes up with sentence that his inner child was screaming for them and Man City hammers Spurs with a huge transfer fee then there is nothing the directors could do about it.
Knowing his price his so valued, only Bale will truly decide where he wants to go.
Click to expand...

To a degree, at the end of the day, if Real Madrid matched or gave a reasonable fee, it is quite feasable they would accept a lower amount and watch him go abroad, but then obviously Bale has a say in this... I would say both sides have a say but the power is probably 70-30 player to club IMO.
 
I agree with you.All this 'Bale will only sign for a foreign club' comes from the idea that he would obviously improve the team he'll play for, like strenghten Spurs' rivals.This is what I don't understand, Bale (if he stays in England) will only sign for a title contender which is something Spurs aren't and won't be in a while so maybe they should get off their high horse their true place in the league.They're a Europa league team and nothing more
 
kouroux said:
I agree with you.All this 'Bale will only sign for a foreign club' comes from the idea that he would obviously improve the team he'll play for, like strenghten Spurs' rivals.This is what I don't understand, Bale (if he stays in England) will only sign for a title contender which is something Spurs aren't and won't be in a while so maybe they should get off their high horse their true place in the league.They're a Europa league team and nothing more
Click to expand...

From Spurs to an English club ....

- Man City (Improvement to Spurs)
- Chelsea (Improvement to Spurs)
- Man United (Improvement to Spurs)
- Arsenal (On Par with Spurs)
- Everton (On Par with Spurs)
- Swansea (On Par with Spurs argueably)
- West Brom (On Par with Spurs argueably)

I could go on... and that's to english teams that are greater than spurs and someone of his talent would improve any english XI IMO
 
kouroux said:
I agree with you.All this 'Bale will only sign for a foreign club' comes from the idea that he would obviously improve the team he'll play for, like strenghten Spurs' rivals.This is what I don't understand, Bale (if he stays in England) will only sign for a title contender which is something Spurs aren't and won't be in a while so maybe they should get off their high horse their true place in the league.They're a Europa league team and nothing more
Click to expand...

I think that's harsh.

They've finished in the top 4 3 times in the last 2 years and are currently in 4th place.
 
#Carl said:
I think that's harsh.

They've finished in the top 4 3 times in the last 2 years and are currently in 4th place.
Click to expand...

Take an average over 10 years... but I get what your saying... Arsenal fans feel they are title contenders but they aint... Tottenham fans may feel they are CL team.. they aint....
 
I don't understand this "high horse" thing. Yes spurs aren't challenging for the title and won't for sometime but still they are trying to be a top 4 club. Selling your best players to other top 4 clubs isn't exactly a sign of ambition. Obviously they may sell if the money is too tempting.
 
kouroux said:
I agree with you.All this 'Bale will only sign for a foreign club' comes from the idea that he would obviously improve the team he'll play for, like strenghten Spurs' rivals.This is what I don't understand, Bale (if he stays in England) will only sign for a title contender which is something Spurs aren't and won't be in a while so maybe they should get off their high horse their true place in the league.They're a Europa league team and nothing more
Click to expand...

What's the point of even having a league then? We might as well give each team their status and not bother competing.

Clubs like Spurs, Everton and Villa have every right to be as ambitious as they want and can afford to be. If they just accepted their place in the grand scheme of things the Prem would be totally shit. If Spurs have any hope of progressing then it would be crazy to sell their best players to the clubs above them. At the start of last season I bet you would have said Spurs had no hope of finishing above Cheslea, so should sell Modric to them.
 
#Carl said:
I think that's harsh.

They've finished in the top 4 3 times in the last 2 years and are currently in 4th place.
Click to expand...

That's not harsh now that City has emerged since then as another team that will easily finish in the top 4 each season.It'll be even more difficult than ever for them to get CL football now.
I'm not trying to belittle them but there is a reality to the PL.Bale will leave at some point and if it's to another english club, it won't affect Spurs that much because he will only have signed for either City/United/Chelsea (three teams clearly ahead of Spurs already).They should do their best not to strengthen Arsenal if they were ever interested in the player
 
redmeister said:
What's the point of even having a league then? We might as well give each team their status and not bother competing.

Clubs like Spurs, Everton and Villa have every right to be as ambitious as they want and can afford to be. If they just accepted their place in the grand scheme of things the Prem would be totally shit. If Spurs have any hope of progressing then it would be crazy to sell their best players to the clubs above them. At the start of last season I bet you would have said Spurs had no hope of finishing above Cheslea, so should sell Modric to them.
Click to expand...

I'm saying that it's pointless for them to try to stop it cause if Bale wants to join an english team and the transfer fee is decent enough, they will have to sell him no doubt.They can to prevent it (or possibly delay it) but that would be pointless if Bale is really decided
 
You must log in or register to reply here.