Harry Diamond
Ian Wright has backed Tottenham to ‘definitely’ make the top four and says Gareth Bale could have a similar impact to that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal.
Tottenham are on the brink of sealing a sensational return to north London for Bale, the winger set to fly in to London on Friday ahead of completing a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid.
The Welsh international left Spurs in a world-record deal seven years ago and has since won four Champions League titles since moving to the Bernabeu, but he has fallen out-of-favour following a difficult couple of seasons in the Spanish capital.
Wright, however, believes that Bale’s arrival will provide Spurs with a hugely exciting attacking line up and believes the signing of the 31-year-old makes the north London side certainties to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
“You have to say, if he can modify his game and play in that area up with the top three, him, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane – which sounds fantastic – then it’s going to be an unbelievable signing,” Wright told Premier League Productions.
“You’re talking about somebody who is easily worth 15 or 20 goals, and how many points? 20 odd points? What’s that going to do for Spurs? Definitely going to be in the top four and challenging.
“And if you’re talking about the defence, with Reguilon and Matt Doherty, with that thrust that they’ve got – that’s what Harry Kane was missing.”
Bale was regarded as the finest player in English football when leaving Spurs in 2013 after winning two PFA Player of the Year awards in just three seasons, his performances arguably the best seen at the club in the Premier League era.
🏴 Gareth Bale’s Record At Spurs:
🏟 Games: 203
⚽️ Goals: 56
🎯 Assists: 58💙@GarethBale11: “Tottenham Will Always Have A Special Place Within My Heart. You Never Know I Could Come Back One Day.”
🔜 Flames When This Is Announced.🔥#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/1p4KMUi2TK
— Last Word On Spurs🎙 (@LastWordOnSpurs) September 16, 2020
Whilst Wright admits Bale is not the same player that departed England for Spain seven year ago, he insists the Welshman is still a ‘world-class’ talent and believes the winger could take on similar talismanic status to that of Aubameyang at Arsenal.
“What people can’t get carried away with is: you’re not getting the Bale that left, obviously,” he added.
“You’re getting an older Bale, a more experienced Bale, but we’re still talking about a world-class Bale.
“If he can come back and get anywhere near what he used to do – though you’re not expecting him to hit that form – but at 31 if he can do anything there it’s going to be exciting for Tottenham.
“His ability is undoubted and the Spurs fans should be excited, simply because of the lift it will give them. It’s no different to what [Arsenal] have got with our talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“He was their main man and if he comes back and has any kind of impact like that, it’s not only going to give the fans a lift but the dressing room. I think it’s a dressing room that needs a lift as well.
“For him to come in, it will give the kind of boost that Tottenham really need at this stage of the season.”
When asked for his prediction on where Spurs would end up, Wright replied: “One place below Arsenal! No, with Gareth Bale on form they can easily get in the top four.”
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