Bale

[Deleted]

Where does he go from here?

Given his performances you would think that firm offers will now be coming in at the end of the season, but to be honest I am of the thinking that it suits Wales better if he stays at Spurs.....

The thought that terrifies me most is that he goes to Man United, for a number of reasons. Of course, a major concern would be Fergie curtailing his Wales career. But I would also have concerns about his development there.

Look at Rooney, a nauseating prick granted, but as a youth a rough diamond who could dominate games, as per his performances in the Euros in Portugal for England. He could also score goals from all over the pitch. It now has to be accepted that Rooney has not developed as everybody hoped and I wonder how much of that is down to Ferguson taking the edge off of him by asking him to play certain rigid roles which has taken a bit of the spark and individuality off of him. United is, imo, not the sort of place where maverick players like Bale can flourish. Everyone seems to play within rigid roles to suit Fergie's systems and there is no room for the likes of Bale to go playing where he likes. Ronaldo is the exception here but he wasn't that sort of player when he was brought in. I certainly couldn't see Fergie bringing Bale in with the idea that he would have a free role, he would be stuck out on the left and told to waste his talent by runing up and down the wing all day just like Giggs was when (arguably) given his dribbling skills Giggs could have progressed like Bale if at a club where he was a bigger fish.

Outside of United the only other English clubs who could afford him are Man City and Chelsea, but I don't think I trust both of them to get the best out of him or trust them not to muck us about with their star asset either.

So that, for me, leaves Barcelona and Real Madrid, much safer options in terms of his development and also likelihood of him continuing to play in most of our matches. I would hope they would be the two favourites, but I can't help but feel that he will end up at United, the worst move he could make for himself and for us.

So in a lot of ways the ideal scenario for Wales (imo) remains staying with Spurs and continuing what he is doing now- for the time being at least. Being a big fish in a small pond means he can continue to dictate where he plays, in a team that is set up to give him the ball and let him do the rest- exactly (sadly) the same sort of scenario that Wales asks of him. How much better can Champions league football make him? He already seems to be on a different level to everyone else in the premier league without playing much champions league football. I don't think staying at Spurs is out of the question either, he seems to enjoy it there- providing he can get Champions League football there next season I imagine he would stay.

Perhaps I am being overly paranoid....

[Baxter Cymru]

Barca and Real have a decent record of releasing players for Internationals, but im not sure he will go abroad either :/

[georgetm1]

The thing is, who in their right mind would turn down either of the Spanish giants? If you were in his shoes where would you go, boring grey Manchester or beautiful cities like Madrid or Barcelona with ace weather, no dickhead English press and a much more relaxed attitude to life in general. Has any player ever turned down Madrid or Barca? Ronaldo and Beckham couldn't leave Manchester fast enough.

[Tim P]

Staying at Spurs is not really an option; he'll only improve from this level if he is at a project with players that are used to winning almost every game and challenging for titles every year.

I'm not sure about Ferguson not allowing mavericks... Ronaldo, Cantona, to an extent Van Nistelrooy were all allowed to do as they pleased because they won matches.

I also think that Bale is his own man, there isn't much of a comparison with Giggs.

[abwales]

If he stays in England I hope to god its with spurs. Chelsea, city & united are the only other English clubs that could afford him and I don't want him at any of those. I'd be happy with him going to any of the top clubs in the top leagues. Italy, Germany, Spain wherever.

[Deleted]

Feb 15, 2013 0:25:52 GMT Tim P said:

Staying at Spurs is not really an option; he'll only improve from this level if he is at a project with players that are used to winning almost every game and challenging for titles every year.

I'm not sure about Ferguson not allowing mavericks... Ronaldo, Cantona, to an extent Van Nistelrooy were all allowed to do as they pleased because they won matches.

I also think that Bale is his own man, there isn't much of a comparison with Giggs.

Cantona and Van Nistelrooy still operated in specific areas of the pitch, a player like Bale at his best goes where he wants and therefore threatens the disciplined shape of a Ferguson side. I can see him being regimented in a certain position there which would be to his detriment.

Ronaldo went all over the pitch but he was so good for Man United that I think Ferguson made an allowance. Dont forget that these days Ferguson has Van Persie to win matches, he doesnt need that maverick aspect of Bale's play- Fergie will only be wanting Bale's dangerous delivery into the box for Rooney and Van Persie to feed off. Even more reason why he should stay at Spurs where he is expected to fill a number of roles, imo.

[Tim P]

Can Manchester Utd pay 38 million for a player? Not sure.

I do agree that I'd rather he didn't sign for them. To be honest, he's in the bracket of Real and Barca now; if he has any kind of ambition he'll force a transfer through if required.

That said, if he has a real sense of adventure, why not Guardiola's Munich project?

[yanto]

do remember that players can write into their contracts that they can be released for internationals - trying to think of one of ours who did just that, Not giggs obviously.

[flynnfan]

www.football365.com/f365-says/8502309/F365-Says

thing is, its difficult to see him fitting in at Real with Ronaldo already there. Likewise, I think Barca would play him as a wing back...which would be a massive waste.

Trendys shout about going to Bayern under Guardiola is interesting... as a possible long term replacement for Arjen Robben. He's be guarenteed to win trophies and challenge in the champions league if he went there. Bayern are unlikely to spunk up 50 million + on one player though...

I'd rather he stays at Spurs than go anywhere else in England though. And its not impossible. If they get back in the champions league, would they sell? would he want to go? They probably won't win the league title anytime soon, but the UEFA cup this season and domestic cups in future are possiblilites...

[Baxter Cymru]

I think he could slot in at Madrid easy he is twice the player Di Maria is, imagine Bale and Ronaldo on the wings both with freedom to roam....Frightening!!

[scoop76]

Interesting quotes from Ferguson on Johnny Evans last weekend. He was moaning that Evans had gone away on international duty to "play just 45 minutes". It suggests he still isn't happy with his players playing international friendlies. Of course, had Evans played the full 90, you can bet Fergie would have moaned about that too. If Bale does go to Manchester for a record amount, it would take a strong Wales manager to stand up to him over international friendlies.

[scoop76]

There was great analysis on Bale in The Times on Monday. It credited Toshack for being the first to realise that Bale could play in an advanced role, said Harry Redknapp had failed to realise this. Apparently it was Bale's potential as an attacking player that put Ferguson off signing him - like Toshack, he felt Bale's natural position was further forward, and back in 2006/2007/2008 Ferguson still had Ryan Giggs on the left wing.

[llannerch]

PSG?

[abwales]

Bayern paid 40 million for Javi Martinez. If they want Bale, I imagine they could get him.

[Tim P]

There's been talk of Suarez for about that much. I imagine part of Guardiola's project will include two or three marquee signings in the summer.

[Deleted]

Feb 15, 2013 14:50:53 GMT flynnfan said:

www.football365.com/f365-says/8502309/F365-Says

thing is, its difficult to see him fitting in at Real with Ronaldo already there. Likewise, I think Barca would play him as a wing back...which would be a massive waste.

Trendys shout about going to Bayern under Guardiola is interesting... as a possible long term replacement for Arjen Robben. He's be guarenteed to win trophies and challenge in the champions league if he went there. Bayern are unlikely to spunk up 50 million + on one player though...

I'd rather he stays at Spurs than go anywhere else in England though. And its not impossible. If they get back in the champions league, would they sell? would he want to go? They probably won't win the league title anytime soon, but the UEFA cup this season and domestic cups in future are possiblilites...

Agreed!

[llannerch]

I can't find the link but Bayern's non-tv commercial revenue dwarfs every other club on the planet. The figures are astonishing. If Bayern want a player they can pretty much have him. UEFA's financial fair play rules suits German football and its prudence. I would expect longer term more top end players finding their way to the Bundesliga

The other thing to remember is that he has a young baby and that will be a factor in deciding when he leaves as much as anything

[stu]

If he scores 2 against the Jocks he will have equalled Giggs' scoring record with around 24 games and 12 years to spare!

[flynnfan]

I know its the daily heil, so its probably bullshit, but... www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2279453/EXCLUSIVE-Pep-Guardiola-wants-Gareth-Bale-Bayern-Munich-spend-50m.html

Trendy- if you've got this one right too, following on from your Laudrup to Swansea prediction, I'm going to start asking you for the lottery numbers...

[Tim P]

Feb 16, 2013 16:39:32 GMT flynnfan said:

I know its the daily heil, so its probably bullshit, but... www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2279453/EXCLUSIVE-Pep-Guardiola-wants-Gareth-Bale-Bayern-Munich-spend-50m.html

Trendy- if you've got this one right too, following on from your Laudrup to Swansea prediction, I'm going to start asking you for the lottery numbers...

[flynnfan]

www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/16/gareth-bale-tottenham-brilliance

interesting in relation to this:
www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/16/jupp-heynckes-bayern-munich-arsenal

That is not to say everyone is happy at Bayern and that there is no hope for Arsenal. Arjen Robben, most notably, has been unhappy at losing his regular place in the team, provoking an angry rebuke from Sammer, who said: "The coach decides who plays, there is no discussion. If you are left out we don't expect the player to shout hallelujah and be all happy about it but we will not tolerate any egoism at this club."

[wendywho]

Should he not be better to spend his time in the next three years training to win Olympic Gold in diving at the next games?

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2013 16:29:10 GMT wendywho said:

Should he not be better to spend his time in the next three years training to win Olympic Gold in diving at the next games?

Good shout! The match against you will be a great opportunity for him to practice. A hat trick of penalties should leave us with the points and you lot crying into your skirts.

[Tim P]

Feb 17, 2013 16:46:03 GMT @storm said:

Feb 17, 2013 16:29:10 GMT wendywho said:

Should he not be better to spend his time in the next three years training to win Olympic Gold in diving at the next games?

Good shout! The match against you will be a great opportunity for him to practice. A hat trick of penalties should leave us with the points and you lot crying into your skirts.

Haha. Owned.

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2013 16:46:03 GMT @storm said:

Feb 17, 2013 16:29:10 GMT wendywho said:

Should he not be better to spend his time in the next three years training to win Olympic Gold in diving at the next games?

Good shout! The match against you will be a great opportunity for him to practice. A hat trick of penalties should leave us with the points and you lot crying into your skirts.

Hahahahahahahaha! Wendy? Who?

[Deleted]

Rooney + cash to be offered to Tottenham for Bale in the summer. You heard it here first. Can't see United having the 60 odd million for Bale so a part exchange makes sense and seeing as Rooney occupies the same position and is out of favour.....

Although I should add that whilst an offer will be made, the move won't happen. I can see Bale either staying at Tottenham or moving to Real and also Rooney would never go to Spurs in a million years so any talks would break down.

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2013 16:02:30 GMT @storm said:

I can see Bale either staying at Tottenham or moving to Real

I heard he was there yday for the Manure against Real Madrid match?

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2013 17:00:49 GMT alternativewales said:

Mar 6, 2013 16:02:30 GMT @storm said:

I can see Bale either staying at Tottenham or moving to Real

I heard he was there yday for the Manure against Real Madrid match?

Really?! Lets hope he was there as a guest of Madrid- I would loathe to see Taggart get his hands on him.

I wonder what Spurs would have to say about that as well? Not that United don't have previous when it comes to tapping players up.

[alarch]

If you watched the match tonight you will know what I'm referring to - namely a box to box run from Bale in a breakaway in the second half. My question is - has any player gone from box to box in a shorter time in the history of football?

Secondly, more crap punditry regarding the so-called dive from Bale. The reality is that he poked the ball past the defender's leg, was a bit off-balance, and may have fallen over anyway, but was caught (slightly) by the defender. You could argue that it wasn't a penalty - but a dive? For it to be a dive you have to demonstrate intent, and I saw no evidence of that. I can't help wondering if Bale is on the receiving end of rotten decisions because of earlier rotten decisions influencing the referees.

[welshiron]

never a booking but good news for us as he is now out of the return leg next week