Glenn Hoddle has claimed there were signs in Gareth Bale’s performance against Ludogorets that the winger is slowly but surely getting back to his best and suggested that the Welshman could thrive in a more central role.
Bale started alongside Lucas Moura and Harry Kane upfront in Bulgaria and the trio were involved in some neat interplay in the first 45 minutes.
Tottenham’s second goal came as a result of the Real Madrid loanee dropping into a central area to pick up the ball before playing a lovely through ball to Kane, who put in a low cross for Moura to tap-in.
The 31-year-old was replaced by Steven Bergwijn on the hour mark and Hoddle admitted that he had been impressed with what he had seen from Bale.
Although the legendary Spurs midfielder admitted that the best is yet to come from the recently returned star, he insisted that the Welshman’s willingness to drop into central pockets on Thursday could be a sign of things to come.
Hoddle told BT Sport’s coverage of the Europa League clash (as relayed by Football.London): “He is looking sharper, he’s had more minutes on the pitch as well. He’s not quite there yet, I don’t think we can judge him yet, there’s still a long way to go to get back to anywhere near (his best).
“It’s not gonna be the same Bale that left Tottenham or played at Real Madrid.
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“What we saw tonight, drifting into the little pocket, the number 10 position, and then hurting the opposition, that’s where I see him.
“I don’t see him out wide on the right, or the left, but I think there’s a combination, eventually Son, Bale and Kane, it’ll be as good as anything in the country.”
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