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From lanky left-back to footballing beast, Bale can now play in ANY position



There's a joke doing the rounds at the moment you might have heard:


Q. How many Welsh teams will be playing in the Barclays Premier League next season?
A. Three - Swansea, Cardiff and Gareth Bale.


The punchline is harsh on Andre Villas-Boas' group of Champions League-seekers but nevertheless there is truth in the taunt: Bale has been running the show at Spurs this season, and everyone knows it.




Can anyone stop him? Tottenham star Gareth Bale celebrates another tour de force on Sunday





Expert timing: Bale flicks the ball over City goalkeeper Joe Hart to score Spurs' third goal on Sunday





Provider: Bale's right-wing cross set up Clint Dempsey and embarrassed Vincent Kompany (obscured by post)









A game of two halves... Spurs struggled against City in the first half, and Bale's touches over the opening 45 minutes (left) show he was playing in a free role. But after his move to the right, Spurs and Bale shone (right). Source: OPTA


And so, on Sunday at White Hart Lane, Tottenham proved they are capable of beating any side, the reigning Premier League champions included, when Bale fires on all cylinders.

Both Bale and Spurs were transformed in the second half yesterday - the second half of the second half, in truth - as they came from behind to beat Manchester City 3-1 and secure a vital three points in their bid for a seat at Europe's top table next season.




Bright future: Bale started his career as a left-back at Southampton before joining Spurs in 2007





But there was one striking aspect of Bale's explosive performance that stood out: he was playing firmly on the right side of midfield.

The one-time lanky kid at left-back has grown into a 23-year-old footballing beast capable of playing anywhere across the midfield and forward line.




Wing wizard: Bale turned in a matchwinning performance on the left against Liverpool this season





Middle man: The Welshman also guided Spurs to victory at West Ham - while playing in the centre








Bale's touches v Liverpool (left) show how he can operate as a left winger, while his positioning v West Ham (right) proves he is also able to hurt the opposition with a free attacking role. Source: OPTA



Bale this season. Source: OPTA


Bale has started many games this season on the left side of AVB's attack, particularly during the first half of the campaign, as our pitch map shows for his performance against Liverpool back on November 28.

The Welshman was the catalyst for Spurs' victory that day, setting up Aaron Lennon's opening goal with an electrifying run down the left wing, before playing a pinpoint cross across for his fellow wide-man to tap in. Oh, and he also scored the winning goal too, from a free-kick.

At Upton Park on February 25, Bale was handed a role at the centre of Spurs' attack, but free to roam and rampage all over his helpless victims.


Bale scored twice and set up another that night in a 3-2 victory for Tottenham. His first was a thudding strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, but his winning goal, in the 90th minute, will live long in the memory - a 30-yard piledriver that wobbled its way through the night air and into the top corner of West Ham's net.

And now, finally, Bale has proved he can cut the mustard - and through opposition defences - on the right flank.

His cross to set up Clint Dempsey's equaliser was delivered with the outside of his left boot and with the precision of a surgeon's knife. It left no less a defender than Vincent Kompany grasping at thin air - and defensive dignity.


The goal that sealed the victory showed off yet another weapon in an armoury now so vast that it would embarrass even Kim Jong-un.

Bursting onto Tom Huddlestone's perfect through ball, Bale took two touches to move in from the right before clipping the ball over the onrushing Joe Hart and into the net with all the perfect timing of a Swiss watch-maker.


Despite his success yesterday, a long-term future on the right flank is highly unlikely, so Bale is hardly the new David Beckham (he has pace for a start...)
But even the Premier League's finest defenders will now be dreading the prospect of facing a man who can now be considered the complete attacking midfielder. And that goes for the continent's elite too.

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