Gareth Bale in form of his life, but it could have been so, so different

Last night was another wonder goal to add to the ever-growing Gareth Bale collection, but things could have been a whole pile different.

By Declan Whooley

The Welshman’s injury-time winner was a typical Bale finish, and by typical, we mean the man just can’t do tap-ins. Daniel Levy is known as a top-class negotiator, but if Madrid do come calling this summer, then it won’t be hard to get top dollar for the player in the form of his life.

However, cast your mind back to 2009 and things were not so rosy in the garden. Harry Redknapp had tried to play Bale in a left-back role that left his defensive game cruelly exposed. Games were few and far between and Redknapp was considering off-loading the Welsh wizard after just two years at White Hart Lane.

Paddy Power this morning highlighted this headline showing that a £3 million offer from Birmingham was on the cards and there is little doubt that Spurs were considering cutting their losses on the young talent. After Carson Yeung’s arrival, money was available to Alex McLeish and he identified Bale as a Blues target.

Pic credit: Twitter/PaddyPower

Just as well they stuck with him, and just as well for Bale himself. Not sure the Championship is fitting for a man of his undoubted talents.

As Harry would say himself, he really is in “triffic” form.