Gareth Bale left Tottenham Hotspurs for Real Madrid in 2013. 251 appearances and 13 trophies later, he returned to North London. Bale returned to Tottenham’s white uniform on loan. The 2019/20 season did not go well for the Welshman. It was not only in and out of the treatment room that made him miss 13 matches, the rift with Zinedine Zidane was also a negative note for Bale. He only appeared 20 times with a record of three goals and two assists, of course not ideal for a player with a salary of £ 600 thousand per week.
As stated by Bale, this is the right time to return to Tottenham and start a new episode of his career. “I thought when I moved (from Tottenham) I would love to come back, and now the opportunity arises. I think this is the right fit, the timing is right for me. I am hungry, I am motivated, I want to do well and can’t wait to start, “Bale said in the club’s official interview.
However, Tottenham is now not like Tottenham who he left seven years ago. Not only are they no longer playing at White Hart Lane, but Tottenham are also developing in quality. Reaching the 2018 Champions League final was the peak even though it still failed to produce a trophy. The status of a star player is also not only owned by the 31-year-old, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have proven to be the backbone of Tottenham in recent seasons.
Likewise from a tactical point of view. Jose Mourinho as a coach likes to play reactive and rely on fast counter attacks. Although both have worked for Real Madrid, Mourinho and Bale did not meet. Mourinho left when Bale anchored to Madrid. Bale had to adapt to Mourinho and the scheme he implemented.
Last season, Tottenham played dominant in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as reported by Understat’s data. Dele Alli is plotted as the number 10 player. Conditions are a little different after Alli’s performance has declined considerably recently. 4-3-3 is probably Mourinho’s first choice, especially if Son and Bale both play, the two players don’t help much in defense.
The right wing is Bale’s best position. Most likely he will fill that position in Mourinho’s 4-3-3 formation. With his left foot as the strongest leg, Bale will often cut inside or rise to give superiority in the penalty box. Space in the wings can be given to Matt Doherty who diligently overlaps.
The current Bale is no longer the Bale who destroyed Inter Milan at White Hart Lane in 2010. Bale’s total dribbles per game are decreasing from season to season. Dribbling is a football action that requires great physicality, while Bale has been repeatedly injured. This certainly affects Bale’s physique to dribble past opponents.
Bale’s dribbling stats also declined during his outstanding form at Madrid. The reason is that Bale often operates in the penalty box when the ball reaches the final third of the field. He provides a cross option for the Madrid wing-back. The highlight was the 2015/16 season when he scored seven goals with headers. Of the total 105 goals for Madrid, 18 of them were scored using the head. Even though he scored his last header goal in the 2017/18 season.
Bale should find it easier to rediscover the quality of positioning and aerial duels for headings than to get back fit to dribble past opponents. This ability can give color to the Tottenham wing. Only two headers came from Son, Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn and Erik Lamela in the Premier League last season.
Tottenham are not short on supplies from their full-backs. The arrival of Sergio Reguilon adds to Tottenham’s list of offensive wing-backs who can provide assistance. 18 assists were scored by Reguilon, Doherty and Aurier in all competitions last season with their respective teams.
In addition, Bale also provides additional options for Kane. In the match against Southampton, Kane’s scheme went down and provided a through ball behind the opponent’s defense proved successful in creating four goals scored by Son. The lack of Southampton’s high defensive line was a big factor in the success of the scheme, but Kane’s run down and the winger trying to find space looks set to happen.
If at any time Mourinho uses a back three formation, Bale can continue to operate on the right wing. He doesn’t even need a lot of track backs because there are wing-backs and wing-backs who provide cover. It is also interesting to see who will accompany Kane if Mourinho applies a 4-4-2 formation.
However, Bale’s action with Tottenham cannot be enjoyed quickly. Last week, Tottenham’s medical team discovered that Bale had an injury that ruled him out for up to four weeks. Bale is predicted to be playing at the end of October after the international break.
Not only on the pitch, Bale can also contribute off the pitch. Especially with the winning mentality that was built up when in Madrid. A piece of the puzzle that Tottenham didn’t have, even after Mourinho arrived.
“You don’t know until you are there, in that situation, in the final. Understanding what to do in the situation, nervousness, pressure, all gained from experience. Hopefully I can give that in the dressing room, give confidence that we can win trophies, “said Bale. The 13 trophies won in Madrid, including four Champions League trophies, certainly make Bale a strong winning mentality.
For Bale, this move can be said to be the best decision. He certainly does not want to return to heating the bench in Madrid for the next two seasons until his contract expires. The abilities that other Tottenham wingers don’t have and a winning mentality are expected to take Tottenham to a higher level.
ASL
