I'll take HBIC's word for it about Soldado vs. Bentecke.
On another note, a major network will broadcast PL games once a week in the US. What's that got to do with transfers?
Well, some time ago, Spurf asked me what it would take to get more of a US fan base for Spurs. I didn't want to say a title, since that seemed too negative.
As it turns out, it was too negative, because regular air time on a major network plus having the best player in the league will in fact create a lot of new Spurs fans in the US. Particularly outside football and baseball, having the best player may be a better road to popularity here than having the best team.
While it's hard to estimate how much of a success broadcasting the PL will be in the US, (and there's a decent chance it will flop, I think) if we say it will do okay, then Bale becomes considerably more valuable to Spurs. If it does well, he would be a real gold mine. Fans will be as likely to buy Bale shirts as Man U shirts.
So it may be a reason to be willing to pay Bale more and otherwise be more determined to hold onto him. It would certainly seem foolish to throw away a real chance of making Spurs a significantly bigger club by letting him go.
Having Dempsey helps as well. He is a very popular player in the US and playing for Spurs has elevated his prestige among US fans. Bale of course helps as does having AVB as there is a large population of Portuguese fans who think he is the dogs bollocks. Add these together and you have the start of a growing fan base. Although there are already is a lot of fans here...
"While it's hard to estimate how much of a success broadcasting the PL will be in the US, (and there's a decent chance it will flop, I think)" I think it is a good job you are not running a TV company. NBC spent a shed load on the PL rights as NBC are "
one of the largest broadcast networks in the States, with a signal that is included in most basic cable packages, NBC could potentially deliver what the EPL called the "biggest and broadest programing and promotion commitment ever in the United States."
And just a little guide to how much they have committed http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/socce...r-american-tv-nbc-massive-181033318--sow.html
That doesn't sound like a gamble on behalf of NBC



He had 1 bad injury but is still one in the best finishers in the game. Even after injury he is better that Ade and Defoe. David Villa is still spains best striker.