Steve McManaman shares what he’s noticed about Gareth Bale at Tottenham, makes prediction

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Pundit Steve McManaman has told the Press Association that he doesn’t think Tottenham Hotspur ace Gareth Bale has lost any of his pace.

Spurs swooped to re-sign Bale in September, luring him back to North London in a season-long loan move from Real Madrid.

Seven years after selling Bale to Real in a then-world-record deal, Spurs have brought Bale back – but they know he isn’t quite the same player.

Bale is now 31, and played just 20 games last season, meaning he is having to work his way back to full sharpness.

The Welshman scored the winner against Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month, and Spurs fans are hoping to see him kick on soon.

Pundits have been having their say on Bale’s return, and McManaman claims he has noticed that Bale hasn’t lost any of the pace that made him such a huge threat in the past.

McManaman added a prediction that Bale will score at least 20 goals if he plays 40 games in all competitions for Spurs this season, suggesting that his signing was a ‘great deal’ and ‘wonderful business’.

“I think he’ll have a huge impact because he hasn’t lost any of his pace,” said McManaman. “I know he’s had a few injuries at Real Madrid, but he also wasn’t injured for a lot of the time – he just wasn’t playing. I think he’s ready to and has a lot of points to prove. I think it’s a brilliant signing for Tottenham.”

“When you think of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and then you throw Gareth into the mix as well, it automatically lifts that starting XI to another level. If he stays fit now and he plays 40 games for Tottenham, he’ll definitely score 20 odd goals, and you just cannot buy those types of numbers. The fact that Tottenham have done a great deal bringing him, I think it’s wonderful business I really do. If he stays fit, he’ll certainly elevate Tottenham to another level in the Premier League and other competitions this season,” he added.