Mata is close to Bale, Bale is better, but there's not a million miles in it. This is Mata's first season in English football in a team that has no great technician like Modric (other than Mata) and is under performing and short on confidence. And for the record, I think Bale will become one of the best players in the world. There's nothing he doesn't have, and short of Barcelona and Madrid players he'd definitely be in my top 5. In fact, short of van Persie I can't think of anyone better than him over the last 12 months (I'm willing to be proved wrong on this). I was gutted not to see him in our FA cup tie, but no doubt the game would have been very different if he had played
Sadly he won't achieve those heights at a small club like Spuds. United or City calling soon methinks.
No midfielder has scored more goals than Gareth Bale this season. Even before his last goal glut of late he had improved his stats on last season: http://www.barriesview.com/2012/01/gareth-bale-improving-on-last-season
Is he one of the world's best now? Well on his day he's unplayable but sometimes he drifts out of games, so if he really wants to be eventually held up there with the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta etc. then he needs to overcome these inconsistencies. So although he's not one of, say, the best 5 players in the world right now, he's definitely in the top 20 and you could make a strong case for top 10 on his day. He's got the potential to make it and be one of the 'elite' in my opinion. He's strong, has excellent stamina, technically excellent, has a great left foot (and his right is slowly getting better as well), and to say he's quick is an understatement. He can read the game and knock the ball around well as well. As I said, what gets to him right now are inconsistencies in his game that cause him to go missing. But he's 22 and is still improving. He also seems to have a recurring back problem that keeps him out of games sometimes, which unfortunately may hamper his progress somewhat. I'd be worried if he keeps receiving injuries like the one from Charlie Adam towards the end of last season as well, not just because they are potentially career ending but also because it might begin to affect him psychologically. But then again I'm sure thats something all professional sportsmen have to deal with so it might not be so much of an issue. The pricetag set on him reflects the fact that he is so important to how we play - our wingers are crucial to our playing style and we definitely don't want to sell him. It's a financial block as well as a statement of intent by the club. He's got huge potential to become one of the best in the world and if we can push on and get CL football consistently in the next few seasons then I see no reason why he cannot do this with Spurs.
You deluded knobhead Messi, Ronaldo or Iniesta will firmly have that title for the next 5 years at least.
HIAG scores another winner . To even speak of bale in the same discussion as Messi and Ronaldo makes you look even BIGGER kn@bhead than you actually are . and that is some achievement , congrats. enjoy your days in the sunshine , we , and chelsea have been there for a long time . Soon you manager will be either a . Banged up for being a criminal parasite on the state . b England manager And your team will be back to the mid table mediocrity you deserve and you will be as quiet as a little church mouse . squeek , 1961 squeek .
One win and the Arsenal fans pipe up again You'll be asphyxiating yourselves with bin bags again by the end of next weekend.
Same story with you girls though, one good season and you talk like you've been dominating for years.
Is that really true, though? Really? No of course it isn't. We've been told by Chelsea and Arsenal fans all season that we'll collapse and you'll both finish above us yet we've pulled away from both of you. Of course the season isn't over yet but you're starting to run out of time. Most of our talk is a reaction to being dismissed at every opportunity.
