I haven't been this excited about Tottenham transfer speculation for a long time, possibly since VDV arrived at the last in shock fashion for an absolute steal of about £10 million.
He is probably the player most Spurs fans wanted to see return, it just seemed like it would never happen because of his ridiculously high Real salary. He's too good a player to be sat around on the bench, wasting his best years away. I don't think he's passed his peak yet, although clearly he has lacked regular football for a while.
He will be loved at Spurs, though, and is maybe the most popular return signing since Teddy, Teddy. Defoe and Keane were fantastic players for Spurs, but neither was quite as good when they returned and in Keane's case his standing had been soured somewhat by the way he left for Liverpool.
This feels like a big statement signing and exactly what we need after Sunday's dismal performance. There, it was clear we were lacking what Everton had in James. Bale is arguably a step up from James, and a possible front three of Kane, Bale and Son is quite something to behold
I can't imagine Levy will be completely smashing down the wage ceiling he employs - particularly at a time like this - which suggests Real might still be paying a big chunk of the wages. But it's surely in all parties' interests to get this over the line.
It's been speculated about so much in the past, but I never thought he would return - or it would be when he was much older for a last hurrah, like Henry at Arsenal.
His transformation from brittle left back with that record of no wins in 23 games hanging around his neck to one of the best attacking players in the world was remarkable. He also thrived under the more pragmatic style of AVB, the most Mourinho-esque manager who isn't Mourinho. Redknapp got him going, but it was AVB who made him consistent and brought Real to the door.
He was probably the most influential and exciting player we've had in recent times - able to get people off their feet even more than VDV, Berba, Kane, Eriksen, Modric, Lennon or Son - and it took us a long time to recover from his sale.
I was watching a YouTube highlights reel of some of his best moments at Spurs y'day and some of it was 'hairs standing on the back of your neck good'.
Those two performances against Inter stand out - one with the hattrick, the other where he destroyed poor Maicon and Lucio all game - but there was also a number of spectacular goals and free-kicks in his final season.
Ones against Norwich and West Ham in particular. Perhaps my favourite goal of his was against Stoke, when he scored a ridiculous volley from a Lennon cross, where the ball was dropping at shoulder height.
I still remember one of his first games, possibly his debut, against Utd, when he played without any fear and went on a number of trademark surging runs forward. With the ball at his feet, charging forward, there are few better. I thought then we had signed someone special. It took a little while for him to become consistent, but when he did he was world-class.
It won't be quite the same, it never is, but he can surely only improve the team. And is the sort of signing that will get the fans very much on side.
Let's hope it goes through! COYS.
Bale - a true statement signing
posted on 17/9/20
comment by Automatic For The People (U21889)
posted 6 minutes ago
Honestly people who think it’s going be like it was before are deluded.
He’s 31, he’s not fit and he has a massive attitude problem.
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LOL bet you are a right laugh at a party.
posted on 17/9/20
comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 4 minutes ago
The fact he's played so little for the past few years might actually elongate his career, perversely. Less wear and tear built up.
I'm very positive about this signing, especially so once Mourinho is gone
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My feelings exactly plus he will have a point to prove to everyone. Lets hope he still has it.
posted on 17/9/20
comment by LukaBrasi Average Team Fan (U22178)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 4 minutes ago
The fact he's played so little for the past few years might actually elongate his career, perversely. Less wear and tear built up.
I'm very positive about this signing, especially so once Mourinho is gone
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My feelings exactly plus he will have a point to prove to everyone. Lets hope he still has it.
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Loss of form is tempory, class is permanent.
posted on 17/9/20
Signing him, Reguillon and a backup striker puts our squad in line with United and Chelsea imo.
posted on 17/9/20
this.
i have concerns over our spine(CMs and CBs) but you look at United and Chelsea's(defences especially) they're not great either
posted on 17/9/20
comment by Edward Elizabeth Hitler. (U14393)
posted 30 minutes ago
comment by LukaBrasi Average Team Fan (U22178)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 4 minutes ago
The fact he's played so little for the past few years might actually elongate his career, perversely. Less wear and tear built up.
I'm very positive about this signing, especially so once Mourinho is gone
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My feelings exactly plus he will have a point to prove to everyone. Lets hope he still has it.
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Loss of form is tempory, class is permanent.
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Shalom to that.
posted on 17/9/20
comment by LukaBrasi Average Team Fan (U22178)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by Automatic For The People (U21889)
posted 6 minutes ago
Honestly people who think it’s going be like it was before are deluded.
He’s 31, he’s not fit and he has a massive attitude problem.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
LOL bet you are a right laugh at a party.
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Nah, he probably doesn't get invited to parties. Everyone who knows him, won't want their party ruined by such a mood hoover.
posted on 17/9/20
Why do people think Bale has an attitude problem? I’m guessing since they think that they’re happy to get shafted and treated like $hit by their employer and have no backbone.
posted on 17/9/20
I'll reserve my judgement on this signing until Sandy comments on Gareth's hairstyle.
posted on 17/9/20
Bale's game relied so much on pace and power. It'll be interesting to see if he's managed to adapt his game during all those golf sessions now that he's no longer rapid.