Andre Villas-Boas lauds Tottenham forward Gareth Bale ahead of Chelsea match

Spurs meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening

James Harris
Wednesday 08 May 2013 15:22 BST
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Gareth Bale celebrates with his manager Andre Villas Boas
Gareth Bale celebrates with his manager Andre Villas Boas

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has lauded Gareth Bale’s contribution to his team in the Portuguese’s first season at the club.

The PFA player and young player of the year grabbed a late winner against Southampton at the weekend and his manager has recognised the Welshman’s efforts: “He has been outstanding this season,” Villas-boas said.

“He has enjoyed his performances and that is vital for any football player. Managers have to guard against limiting them through too much organisation, but that hasn’t been the case with Gareth who has played in a different position to the one he has played in before.

“Doing that has given him the chance to score more goals which has contributed to his wonderful season, plus he has the ambition to be at the very top.”

Bale has played in more than one position this season. We have seen him on his usual left flank but at times has been playing down the middle. Asked about Bale’s new role, Villas-Boas said: “It was born out of an experiment in Baltimore, America when we played Liverpool in a pre-season game.

“Fortunately it is something that worked for us and due to a couple of injuries it was something that we had to keep trying. We fine-tuned Gareth to play there and he has been tremendous because his talent allows him to be adaptable.

“I’m not sure that the shift is definitive but it does give us the option of using him in different positions. At the moment, though, the goals he is getting are giving him the buzz to play there.”

For more insight from Andre Villas Boas and other leading managers plus exclusive Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport

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