Harry Redknapp has warned the league that Gareth Bale is beginning to deliver on the promise he showed when he burst into professional football.
Bale arrived at White Hart Lane in 2007 with a big reputation as one of the brightest young prospects in English football, but had to wait until Tuesday’s victory over Fulham to record his first win from a place in the starting line-up.
With Benoit Assou-Ekotto finding form as well, Bale found it difficult to break into the side, but with the Cameroonian’s groin injury keeping him out, Bale has delivered a series of impressive performances at left back.
Doubts had eprsisted about his defensive abilities, but Redknapp feels they have improved massively and he has developed into a fine player.
“My other left-back, Benoit, was playing as well as anyone in the country – but he has got his work cut out to get back in the team with the way this kid (Bale) is playing.
“He really does look a fantastic player. He is looking like the player we thought he was when he was a kid.
“I’ve been so pleased with him. He has stepped in there and done a great job. His heading is good, he is full of energy, he has got a great left foot, he gets forward. He has defened well.
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“He has improved. The defensive side of his game is stronger and he has had to do that. He has learnt that. It has taken a bit of time, with stepping into the Premier League.
“It is alright going forward, but you have to be able to defend as well and that side of his game has been improved. That is the difference in him now.
“I think the penny dropped in the same way with Glen Johnson when I had him at Portsmouth and he became, for me, the best right-back around.
“I think he is fantastic. Gareth is only a kid, but if he keeps progressing, he has got a great future.”
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