Gareth Bale bagged the top two awards in English football on Sunday to seal up his status as one of the sport's most talented players. He is yet to win trophies with Tottenham. He has been voted PFA player of the year and the young player of the year by his fellow professionals in English football.
Bale, who was also voted player of the year in 2011 revealed that it is a massive honor. To be voted by the peers is one of the greatest things in the game. It is grand to win it and he is delighted.
The 23-year-old Bale stole off competition from Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Michael Carrick to win the crucial Professional Footballers' Association award. Previously former Aston Villa striker Andy Gray in 1977 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007 when he was with Manchester United have done the PFA double.
Bale's ability to penetrate defenses and score from set-pieces has made his way to undisputed comparisons with Ronaldo, who is presently a part of Real Madrid.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas explained that both are extremely powerful, technical and pacey. They grew up as strikers but got converted to wingers. Currently Gareth is playing a much more advanced role. Ronaldo is also capable of playing that role up front.
Bale's brilliant performances have yielded 24 goals and been important to Tottenham occupying fifth position in the Premier League to remain in the hunt for the four Champions League places in the closing weeks of the season. Bale's career has witnessed an outstanding turnaround since he joined Tottenham at 17 in 2007 for 5 million pounds (then $8 million) and survived a horrible start.
A series of injuries slowed his progress and he played 24 league matches within two years before ultimately featuring on a winning line. Harry Redknapp, who was then in charge of Tottenham, propelled Bale forward onto the left wing, allowing him to attack without caring about the defensive aspect of his game. Bale has maintained his searing pace despite developing a more tough physique that allows him to repel off rivals, while often and currently playing in a more central attacking position.
He declared at the awards' ceremony inLondonthat he have been shooting a lot more and have been heading inside a lot more also. He has a few less help this year, but he is in more scoring positions nowadays and that has obviously assisted his scoring count.
Bale was also picked in the Premier League team of the year with Liverpoolstriker Luis Suarez, who is presently serving a 10-game bar for biting a rival. The voting occurred before Suarez sank his teeth into Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last Sunday. As a result, his name was jeered when it was read aloud at the ceremony. In the team of the year, Manchester United's David De Gea was picked as goalkeeper, while the defenders are Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Pablo Zabaleta (ManchesterCity), Leighton Baines (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United).
Chelseaduo Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, Manchester United's Michael Carrick are in midfield while Manchester United striker Robin van Persie also features with Bale and Suarez. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor hopes Suarez followed the lead of Bale and Van Persie in setting a better example to youths.
Taylor disclosed that everyone knows Suarez is a marvelous footballer. He just wishes at times that he could fall into line as footballers are role models and Gareth and Robin van Persie are actually good examples for the youths.
