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Micah Richards names Tottenham star that has “matured” his game

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Micah Richards has given huge praise to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale for his individual quality.

Bale, 31, returned to Spurs in the summer on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and in the last month he’s hit a real purple patch.

The left-footed attacker has rediscovered a finishing touch in front of goal lately, plus he’s done enough to convince manager Jose Mourinho to give him more frequent starts.

He’s now scored 10 goals in 23 appearances this season across all competitions.

If Bale can sustain his form during the next couple of months, Spurs will feel confident they can drag themselves back into the top four race, as well as possibly pick up some silverware in cup competitions.

Sky Sports pundit Richards still believes that the Welsh winger is capable of the spectacular, despite the fact his game has adjusted over the years.

“Maybe people expected on his return to Tottenham at the beginning of the season they were going to see the Bale of old, the flying machine who would trample all over you,” Richards wrote in the Daily Mail.

“That was never realistic. He’s matured over the last eight years, he’s advanced his games in terms of positioning.

“His romantic return to Tottenham has been a slow-burner but I hope he stays next season for another year. The days when he took off like an Olympic sprinter might be gone but the ability to change a game with a flash of genius remains. Write him off at your peril.”

Tottenham Hotspur v Dinamo Zagreb - UEFA Europa League Round Of 16 Leg One
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

TBR’s View:

Bale’s resurgence of late has certainly got the fanbase extremely excited, while on the pitch it’s galvanising the group and lifting his teammates.

His form means it’s not solely on Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to score the goals.

Some of the great Bale performances in his youth at Spurs came when he was bombing forward from the left flank with pure pace, strength and athleticism.

His offensive game now is very different, using his trickery and movement cause carnage cutting infield to his left foot from the right flank.