Tottenham: Gareth Bale shines for Wales, should Spurs bring him home?

A brace for Wales shows that Gareth Bale still has something to give. Should Tottenham Hotspur consider bringing him back one last time in the summer?

Despite wasting away on the periphery at Real Madrid, forward Gareth Bale’s brace for Wales in World Cup Qualifying shows the Welshman still has something Tottenham Hotspur could use. As Wales advances to a playoff final in June, Bale’s contract with Madrid will be expiring, and then some decisions will have to be made regarding the winger’s future, including Tottenham.

Why Bale would work at Tottenham

No longer possessing the burst that made him unplayable in his prime, Bale still has enough talent and ability to fit in at Tottenham. With a clear, established front, three Bale would be a depth player from the beginning and would likely play somewhat conservatively given his age and history of injuries.

Spurs saw last season that Bale could be an impact player even in limited minutes in the Premier League. In only 20 appearances, Bale scored 11 goals and added another two assists. That total would have him 3rd on the team this season behind Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, just as he was last season.

Moreover, those 20 appearances only included ten starts and 920 total minutes, showing Bale could produce without the lion’s share of the minutes. Further, the way Bale scores, including a still fierce free-kick, would add something Spurs need to break down tough teams that sit deep.

Bale fits the Conte profile

If we harken back to the profile of the kind of player that can succeed in the Premier League, Bale check’s the boxes Conte described.

Bale has excellent technique and skill with a left foot that can still produce magic with the ball. Bale can still play on either wing or a number nine in a pinch, demonstrating his tactical flexibility. He would be a relatively like-for-like replacement to Kulusevski in some regards as a backup. Finally, Bale is still a physical marvel in many ways. His pace is not quite the same, but his power is still there, and his giant stride means his speed is still quite good.

Questions remain about Bale

The goal tally and some memorable moments are remarkable, but everything was not sunshine and roses the last time Bale was at N17. While being part of the Jose Mourinho era was a significant factor in this, so too was Bale.

We know Wales is a priority. Will he give 100% before the World Cup in fear of injury, and likewise, would he give 100% after the cup when he has nothing left to play for with his country? Alternatively, Wales could lose their final qualifier, and his World Cup dream could be over before his contract, and retirement becomes a real possibility.

Ultimately, assuming Wales qualifies to give Bale extra motivation to play, Spurs should consider resigning. Knowing, his contract is up, that it would be a free transfer and that he would want to make one more run with Wales in the World Cup if Spurs can make the wages right, Bale would add some quality depth to this squad.