As reported by Express, Jose Mourinho has hinted that he could make a move for Gareth Bale in the upcoming January transfer window. The Real Madrid winger praised the Portuguese mastermind after he took over Tottenham Hotspur last month. And Mourinho was delighted to hear Bale’s kind words, shortly after the defeat to Man United, stating, “It is nice, I thank him. I didn’t know. If Gareth said that I’m really pleased.”
A potential move to re-sign Bale in January would undoubtedly be huge for Tottenham. And in this article, we will discuss how exactly can the winger help the club upon his potential return to the Premier League.
More potency going forward
Unlike clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur have always lacked the presence of a designated offensive unit. Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane have done exceptionally well in recent years. But, the absence of an offensive trio has been critical behind the lack of potency going forward.
That’s where Bale could come into the fray. The Welshman could add some real spark into Spurs’ attacking department, and he could build a formidable attacking combination with Son and Kane. His ability to dash across the final third using his pace and tenacity makes him an ideal component to a Mourinho led Tottenham side that mostly employs a direct brand of football.
An answer to Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen has been linked with a move away from north London for quite some time now. The Dane’s existing contract with Spurs expires at the end of the season, meaning he will be able to sign a pre-contract in January. Real Madrid are one of the clubs interested in securing his services.
One would think that the arrival of Eriksen could pave the way for Bale’s departure from the Santiago Bernabeu. And if Spurs can formulate some sort of swap deal between the duo, it could be ideal as the Welshman can fulfil the gap left by the ex-Ajax starlet.
Although Bale is not a playmaker by any means, his attacking prowess could strengthen the Tottenham attack. In hindsight, the fact that Bale can play on the wings would make it easier for centrally oriented players like Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli to earn a more prominent role in the starting lineup.
Experience and winning mentality
Despite being branded as a failure during his time at Real Madrid, Bale is easily one of the most successful players in Europe. The forward has won four Champions League titles, one La Liga title, one Spanish cup as well as four FIFA Club World Cups. Hence, he can bring that winning mentality to the Tottenham side that will be keen on finally winning some trophies under Mourinho.
But that’s not all. Bale is also quite an experienced individual. He has featured in almost 250 competitive appearances for Real Madrid while making 203 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur. He has also won 79 caps for the Wales national team.
This rich experience at the highest level of football could prove to be useful for the Lilywhites, especially in their Champions League journey.