Redknapp backing for Bale

Spurs boss hails left-back

Last updated: 24th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Redknapp backing for Bale

Bale: Praised by Redknapp

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has tipped Gareth Bale to go on and become a 'great' left-back.

The Welsh youngster has yet to fulfil his potential at White Hart Lane and is currently behind Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the pecking order.

Redknapp accepts that Bale does have work to do to progress as a player but he feels the former Southampton starlet is destined for a bright future.

Bale has yet to feature in a Premier League win for Spurs, although his first season at the club was blighted by injuries.

"Eventually that will change," Redknapp said of the statistic. "I see him as a great left-back eventually.

"But he has to learn the game and become a stronger defender to become a great left-back. But he has everything in his locker to be a great player.

"It's parts of his game like the one on ones, things like that (where he has to improve).

"We just need to toughen him up a bit but he's got everything else. He's a great athlete and has a great left foot.

"He's got the potential to become a great footballer. At the moment Benoit has been playing very well."

Arango link

Redknapp will step up his search for loans and cheap buys when the transfer window opens after stating that he will not pay 'crazy prices'.

A number of players have been linked with Tottenham and the latest name to emerge is that of Real Mallorca forward Juan Arango.

According to reports in Spain, Spurs are keeping tabs on the highly-rated Venezuelan but may face a battle to prise him away from Mallorca.