Most Improved Player of 2010

As we come to a close of the year 2010, I look back at the player who has come heaps and bounds since the start of this year. The player that most deserves this accolade is Tottenham starlet Gareth Bale.

Virtually an outcast upon his arrival Bale had to work hard for his place in the London side. He came as a left-back from Southampton and failed to make an impact in that position due to the consistency of Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Coach Harry Redknapp decided to try Bale in a slightly advanced position at left wing. Gareth Bale soon became a phenomenon and excelled at this position and several world class performances have had him compared to the likes of Lionel Messi. Bale became noticed in late 2010, during his sensational form in the Champions League against Inter Milan. In the first match at the San Siro and with Tottenham 4-0 down, the night was looking gloomy until Bale sprang to life and netted a second-half hat trick to restore some pride in the Londoner's side. What was noted from these goals was the severe pace he possessed as he raced down the wing virtually untouched and repeated the feat again in the 'rematch' at White Hart Lane, inspiring Spurs to a 3-1 win, setting up two goals.

Bale was signed on 7th of July 2007 from Southampton and was touted as the 'next big thing'. He held a good run in the Tottenham side until injury ruined it and forced him out for the entirety of the remaining season. He returned 26th September 2009 after a long lay-out and featured in 23 matches in the 2009/10 season. Regular left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto was on his way back from injury and so, Gareth Bale was tried on the left-wing, in the process turning him into one of the best players in the world, turning his opponents inside out as every defender feared him.