Gareth Bale is having a tremendous season for Tottenham Hotspur. His clutch play has drawn comparisons to such superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from a number of outlets and managers. After Bale scored two tremendous free-kick goals this week against Lyon in the Europa League, Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas likened him to Cristiano Ronaldo. However, one man feels that the Welsh star is not at that level yet.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the 23-year old star has developed over the years, but he still has a lot to prove before being placed in the same sentence as Ronaldo and Messi. "Bale has the potential to develop and become the players that you compare him to," said Wenger. "However, Messi has won two or three Champions Leagues, a few championships, scored 95 goals in a year, so let's not go too quick.
"You are always very quick here but let's slow down a little bit," the manager added.
Wenger scouted out Bale a few years ago when the midfielder left Southampton. Wenger went after Theo Walcott instead of Bale, but does not regret the decision.
"It was Walcott and Bale, and we were at some stage on (about) taking the two if possible, but we could get Walcott and I am very happy we got him," said Wenger. "If I tell you the number of players we did not sign who we should have signed, you would be amazed, but it is the same for every single club, you miss players."
Bale has scored 13 goals in 23 Premier league games for Tottenham, including six goals in his last four games. Walcott has scored 11 goals and eight assists in 22 games for Arsenal this season.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
