Steve McManaman has backed Gareth Bale to “elevate” Tottenham Hotspur to great things this season. Bale arrived at Spurs on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid in the summer, re-joining the side he left seven years ago. The Wales international has started well since moving back to the Premier League, scoring one goal and registering one assist in six games across all competitions. Bale, who has had his fair share of injury problems in the past – most notably for Madrid – has been backed by former Los Blancos star McManaman.
Steve McManaman said “His contribution for Real Madrid was exceptional wasn’t it? Certainly, in his early years, he was scoring goals in cup finals. He was scoring goals in every single cup final, and he’s won all those UEFA Champions Leagues, I was at the game when he scored that goal in Seville in the Copa del Rey Final. He’s been an outstanding servant for Real Madrid and LaLiga Santander. As a football player he’s absolutely exceptional and I sincerely hopes he comes here and is a superstar for Tottenham, I really do. I think he’ll have a huge impact because he hasn’t lost any of his pace. I know he’s had a few injuries at Real Madrid, but he also wasn’t injured for a lot of the time – he just wasn’t playing. They have a lot of point to prove. I think it’s a brilliant signing for Tottenham. When you think of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and then you throw Gareth into the mix as well, it automatically lifts that starting XI to another level. If he stays fit and he plays 40 or 45 games for Tottenham, he’ll definitely score 20-odd goals, and you just cannot buy those types of numbers. The fact that Tottenham have done a great deal bringing him, I think it’s wonderful business I really do. If he stays fit, he’ll certainly elevate Tottenham to another level in the Premier League and other competitions this season.”
