Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!

[JP77]

I just checked soccernet and they have him with 20 goals and 29 assists, which is also different from the transfermarkt site (17 goals and 34 assists). Whatever is the actual amount, it is around 20 goals and 30 assists in all competitions, which whatever way you look at it is fantastic.

Of course it's fantastic. However, that's over four competitions (well, five if you want to be picky) in which Chelsea have gone close to all the way in all of them. Semi in both the FA Cup and C1C. Final in the EL and then there's the league (He got 12 assists in total in the league). So he had verging on as many games as it's possible to get in one season and of course certain quality of teams throughout those cup tournaments.

And for the record, that's not me trying to take anything away from him, just pointing that out.

Personally for me Bale is a completely different class. I'd also put him ahead of Van Persie right now, who also wasn't even our best player this season for the record IMO.

It's the same old story with Bale though. Some people underrate him and some even overrate him and that's fine, but can go overboard when it means bringing other players into the discussion and either putting them down or over hyping them too. Truth be told Bale is one of the best around, I don't see how that can really even be debated anymore. Not the best of course, but bloody brilliant.

 

[Adebesi]

I've always found the idea of us signing Bale a bit unlikely. But this summer is quite unique, SAF leaving and potentially Rooney as well, a signing like that makes sense, it provides a lift. It'll take a lot of money to get him but we might do what it takes. Still wouldn't bet on it though.

 

[CentreForward]

Bale and Ronaldo on each wing. With RvP in the middle.

 

[Lailiani]

I've always found the idea of us signing Bale a bit unlikely. But this summer is quite unique, SAF leaving and potentially Rooney as well, a signing like that makes sense, it provides a lift. It'll take a lot of money to get him but we might do what it takes. Still wouldn't bet on it though.

I would totally bet against it. I've just witnessed too many transfer windows of us getting wet over the likes of Benzema, Özil, Modric and DeRossi without anything happening. At the end of the day, these players just don't end up at United.

 

[Adebesi]

We buy Ronaldo and Bale, so we soldier on with our current midfield then? Or will we be splashing out there as well?

 

[friendlytramp]

We have the cash to spend. Don't be surprised to see us splashing £40-50million on a single player this year.

 

[Ludens the Red]

Maybe the best striker of the ball in the world, he's got a tremendous shot from range. Not the best in the league though, and nowhere near top 3 in the world. Van persie, mata Suarez are all better in the league (Rooney on top form as well). People tend to forget that bale is as much of a winger these days as van persie is. He plays behind the striker usually so his goal tally isn't amazing. His build up play isn't something to be amazed about either, like Mata's. Pretty much the only things he has on Suarez and van persie is shooting from range (marginal over rvp) and his pace. He's had a fantastic season, yes, but there's a ridiculous amount of overrating going on here.

Mata has 20 goals and 35 assists () this season
Van persie has 30 goals and 9 assists
Suarez has 30 goals and 11 assists
Bale has 25 goals and 10 assists.
Puts it into perspective.

Yep, only in England would people think Bale was the third best player in the world.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

The most SAF spent on one player was £30m wasn't it?

I'd be a little surprised if they let Moyes spend more than that on one player right off the bat.

 

[Rowem]

I would totally bet against it. I've just witnessed too many transfer windows of us getting wet over the likes of Benzema, Özil, Modric and DeRossi without anything happening. At the end of the day, these players just don't end up at United.

Yeah we never sign good players.

 

[Lailiani]

Yeah we never sign good players.

That was never what I said.

 

[Siorac]

I would totally bet against it. I've just witnessed too many transfer windows of us getting wet over the likes of Benzema, Özil, Modric and DeRossi without anything happening. At the end of the day, these players just don't end up at United.

It's a bit different though, the Premier League's best players very often end up at United. It wasn't exactly long ago that we signed a certain Robin van Persie.

 

[NoLogo]

Strange, breakdown of where they all came from?

I've just checked three places and none of them have those numbers down. whoscored have less than that, the office Juan Mata twitter stats has him at less, ESPN have him at less. feck knows.

http://www.transfermarkt.de/en/juan-mata/leistungsdaten/spieler_44068.html

Basically you only need to substract one assist that he made in a friendly match which surely shouldn't be counted the rest he all did in official matches for Chelsea.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Do you think he will stay at Spurs or leave?

He'll stay.

 

[Rowem]

That was never what I said.

What's the difference between players like Ozil, Benzema, De Rossi or Modric, and players like Van Persie, DDG, Berbatov, Kagawa, Carrick, Rooney or Ferdinand?

It'll save me lots of head scratching in the transfer window if you could help me understand what types of players end up at United, and which kind don't.

 

[JP77]

http://www.transfermarkt.de/en/juan-mata/leistungsdaten/spieler_44068.html

Basically you only need to substract one assist that he made in a friendly match which surely shouldn't be counted the rest he all did in official matches for Chelsea.

And of course the fact that he never got 17 assists in the league

Though fantasy football also have him down as 17. Yet most have him down as 12. Ah feck this, I give up

 

[Adebesi]

The ones where Spanish clubs are involved usually end up with them going to Spain.

 

[Lailiani]

What's the difference between players like Ozil, Benzema, De Rossi or Modric, and players like Van Persie, DDG, Berbatov, Kagawa, Carrick, Rooney or Ferdinand?

Van Persie was not a usual United signing and we got him for a reasonable fee. Bale will be at least twice that fee.

I'm not really talking just about quality in this case, I'm talking about how hyped up players are, whether they are considered to be hot flavours and whether they have a shiny name. Don't you really see a difference between the signings a club like Real makes and the signings United has made in recent years? As great as someone like Carrick can be, as a player he just isn't as hyped up like the likes of Benzema were when they were signed. And just so you don't twist my words: I'm not mainly talking about quality and I'm not saying Carrick is sh*t or anything like that.

I see people already dreaming of Bale and Ronaldo's return and I'm sure they are in for a huge disappointment because we won't sign either of them.

 

[Red Shorts]

I can see this all boiling down to one thing: What Bale wants. Is he comfortable being in this team, which will be playing Europa league next season and will most definitely not be winning the title? He looks really cosy there, enjoying his regular screamer and hasn't kicked up a fuss (yet). If he is, then Levy will shut that metal door and let no one in whatsoever. Even if Bale makes a small hint he wants to leave, Levy will try his best to keep him there still. However, if Bale claims he seeks CL football with the best, then surely Levy will have no choice but to let him leave, even if it doesn't turn out to be the ridiculous millions he expects. It was rumoured Bale always fancied playing abroad, so Madrid still looks most likely to get him should he want a move, but I really wouldn't rule us out if he wants to stay in the EPL. His love for Giggs and his spare moments of praise for us could see us making an 11th hour hike.

 

[Rowem]

Van Persie was not a usual United signing and we got him for a reasonable fee. Bale will be at least twice that fee.

I'm not really talking just about quality in this case, I'm talking about how hyped up players are, whether they are considered to be hot flavours and whether they have a shiny name. Don't you really see a difference between the signings a club like Real makes and the signings United has made in recent years? As great as someone like Carrick can be, as a player he just isn't as hyped up like the likes of Benzema were when they were signed. And just so you don't twist my words: I'm not mainly talking about quality and I'm not saying Carrick is sh*t or anything like that.

I see people already dreaming of Bale and Ronaldo's return and I'm sure they are in for a huge disappointment because we won't sign either of them.

Bale is exactly the sort of player we sign. British, young, and Premiership proven.

 

[Lailiani]

Bale is exactly the sort of player we sign. British, young, and Premiership proven.

United won't fork out 50m or 60m for Bale. At the same time, there are enough other clubs like City willing to splash out these fees. And has at least three years on his contract left, Levy is in no need whatsoever to sell if he doesn't like the fee.

 

[Snow]

Mata according to Soccernet:

Premier League: 30(4) games, 11 goals, 12 assists (PL.com have him with 18 assists)
Champions League: 5(1) games, 3 goals, 3 assists (UEFA have him with 2 assists)
Europa League: 5(3) games, 1 goal, 4 assists (UEFA have him with 6 assists)
Carling Cup: 5 games, 2 goals, 4 assists
FA Cup: 5(1) games, 1 goal, 5 assists
CWC: 2 games, 1 goal, 0 assists

So that's 52(9) games in total, 19 goals and 28 assists according to soccernet.

35 assists according to the official stats counter in the PL, CL and EL. Don't know about the CC, FA and CWC.

 

[SilentWitness]

Is it considered consistent now to go through games not doing much and then scoring a goal, albeit great? I really think Bale is a super player, but I feel that he needs to up the consistency rating of his great games. I'd be interested to see how many of his last minute screamers have happened when he's gone through a game whilst not being involved much.

 

[bosnian_red]

And of course the fact that he never got 17 assists in the league

Though fantasy football also have him down as 17. Yet most have him down as 12. Ah feck this, I give up

They really need to find a way to get reliable, official stats that are the same everywhere. Pretty much every site has it different

 

[Rowem]

United won't fork out 50m or 60m for Bale. At the same time, there are enough other clubs like City willing to splash out these fees. And has at least three years on his contract left, Levy is in no need whatsoever to sell if he doesn't like the fee.

We spent 20-something million on a 29 year old, we could spend double that on a 24 year old.

We have spent 30 million on players numerous times, even a decade or so ago. We have a new manager, we have an ever decreasing debt and record profits. Who knows how much we will spend this summer.

I get that people like putting up this self-deprecating shield of not getting their hopes up, but seriously, we're Manchester fecking United. The self pitying transfer muppetry of "we're never going to sign those really great players with shiny names and loads of internet hype" is really tiresome.

 

[Grinner]

 

[shaggy]

Lolz.

 

[Snow]

They really need to find a way to get reliable, official stats that are the same everywhere. Pretty much every site has it different

Which is why you should only look at the official stat page and not anywhere else. Those are the only stats that matter.

 

[starman]

We paid £31m for an defender in 2002, which i believe is still a record today. We got 10 years out him and he has been consistently one of the defenders in world all that time.

If we think Bale can give a similar return, i would not put it past us offering £50m.

 

[Waldner]

I'm still really speculative that Spurs wouldn't hold us to ransom over this. I don't want us spending £60m+ on him, and that's what I fear we'd have to pay unless Bale forced a move (which I highly doubt).

If he leaves I think he'll go abroad unfortunately.

 

[Mersault]

I see some arguing that he's yet to do it at a top side - Spurs are a good side, let's leave it at that - but I'd say it's further testament to his ability that he has risen above the rest to such an extent and that despite not playing in the CL or challenging for the title. If he were to join United he would pretty much tear it up.

If he were to join, imagine him and Nani on the flanks - we'd have two wingers who can both dribble and go past people. That's not been the case since, well, Nani and Ronnie...

And of course, one of the 3 best players on the planet.

 

[Jimy_Hills_Chin]

That is astonishing football that I don't even think RVP is capable of.

RVP has scored more skillful goals than Bale this season This thread is clearly just you getting giddy about taking a swipe at a beautiful man who hurt your feelings.

 

[Earthquake]

We paid £31m for an defender in 2002, which i believe is still a record today. We got 10 years out him and he has been consistently one of the defenders in world all that time.

If we think Bale can give a similar return, i would not put it past us offering £50m.

Bit of a waste putting Bale back to defence, I'd say...

White text.

 

[Havak]

We paid £31m for an defender in 2002, which i believe is still a record today. We got 10 years out him and he has been consistently one of the defenders in world all that time.

If we think Bale can give a similar return, i would not put it past us offering £50m.

Berbatov was a shade under £32m, but Carroll, Torres, and Robinho were all purchased for more than that in the Premier League.

Anyway, if we were to sell Rooney for £25m+, we must have a usual 'transfer kitty' of £40m+ to dip into if required, every Summer. Along with selling the likes of Anderson/Nani (one or both), it's possible we could spend £70m+ on players this Summer if Moyes and the board choose to.

I don't think it will happen either, but I do not doubt for one minute that the funds will be there and we will need a big signing if Rooney goes and our squad becomes a bit thinner in other areas.

 

[Jimy_Hills_Chin]

The ones where Spanish clubs are involved usually end up with them going to Spain.

Yes but this fellow is Welsh and he looks like a chimp.

 

[Amar__]

Best matchwinner in the league-yes. Best player - no.

Van Persie, Suarez, Mata are better.

 

[Sarni]

We're not going to sign Bale. Levy is going to pretend that we're their rivals and put a price tag we can't match, he's got a long contract at Spurs which means that even if he wanted a transfer badly (which I doubt will be the case) he's going to find it very tough to force it. £50m could probably change Levy's mind but we're not going to pay that - not that I'd mind if we did, he's possibly the only player in the world for whom I'd gladly see us pay £50m - £60m.

If he's on the move, he'll go to Madrid. He's won the poll asking which player their fans want next, he's probably the best player in the world who might be available in the Summer and Spurs have already done business with Madrid last Summer.

 

[Sam]

According to ESPN..

Bale: Goals - 21 Assists - 4
Walcott: Goals - 14 Assists - 10

(Premier League only)

This is why the Bale-hype irks me. Yes, he's a fantastic player who's clearly got that 'something' special and is getting better and better. And he's had an amazing second half to this season. But all this talk about him being the 3rd best player in the world etc is just hyperbolic nonsense atm. Could he get there? On this evidence then yes, he probably can. But talking about him being better already then the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, RVP, Falcao etc etc is just OTT in my opinion.

 

[Pexbo]

If I had to choose for us it'd be Bale. If I was building a team from scratch, Mata.

 

[Amir]

Spectacular and big pressure games? City were already done when he scored against them

How picky are we? Scoring a third goal at 2-1 up is against a team that's 'done'? Seriously? I think he also set up the first nicely.

 

[RK]

Once defenders stop ridiculously letting Bale cut inside he'll be half as effective.

Or he'll adapt.