- Jan 28, 2011
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Gareth Bale has insisted he remains happy at Tottenham and did not think about leaving the club during the transfer window.
The Welshman's dazzling performances last season, especially in the UEFA Champions League, saw him linked with a move as a host of Europe's top teams sat up to take notice.
However, the speculation was put to an end before it could really intensify as Spurs announced in March that Bale had put pen to paper on a new four-and-a-half-year contract.
While the future of team-mate Luka Modric stayed shrouded in uncertainty until the end of August, Harry Redknapp at least had no such concerns about losing Bale.
And the 22-year-old winger insists that Tottenham are the perfect club for him as he strives to fulfil his potential.
"I never really thought about leaving Tottenham in the summer. I just signed a new deal and I'm enjoying my football," Bale told Sky Sports News.
"I'm playing well and I'm playing regularly. The main thing for me, I'm still young, is that I want to be playing week in, week out and getting better, and I'm still at an age where I can keep improving."
Liverpool challenge
Bale admits the presence of Redknapp in the White Hart Lane dugout is one of the reasons for his contentment at the club.
"He lets all the players express themselves, and for a manager to give you that kind of licence there is nothing better," he explained.
The next challenge for Bale is to try and help Tottenham beat Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, although he is expecting a tough game against a side that has strengthened since being pipped to fifth place by Spurs last season.
"We know what they are capable of. They have beaten Arsenalalready and are going to be contenders for the top four, so we're going to have to be right at the peak of our game," he said.
Olympic target
Looking further ahead, Bale has reiterated his desire to be a part of the Great Britain Olympic team in London next summer.
The Football Association of Wales is opposed to the team, along with the Irish FA and Scottish FA, as they fear it could ultimately damage their status as individual countries within Fifa and the special powers they hold as home nations.
However, the FAW is powerless to prevent players taking part and Bale hopes to be involved.
He said: "I think you see it with the rugby. The British Lions manage to do it and still manage to keep their own identities, so I don't see any reason why it can't be sorted."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11675_7183796,00.html?
Whilst that's good to read, I'm a bit concerned that he thinks he's playing well.
The Welshman's dazzling performances last season, especially in the UEFA Champions League, saw him linked with a move as a host of Europe's top teams sat up to take notice.
However, the speculation was put to an end before it could really intensify as Spurs announced in March that Bale had put pen to paper on a new four-and-a-half-year contract.
While the future of team-mate Luka Modric stayed shrouded in uncertainty until the end of August, Harry Redknapp at least had no such concerns about losing Bale.
And the 22-year-old winger insists that Tottenham are the perfect club for him as he strives to fulfil his potential.
"I never really thought about leaving Tottenham in the summer. I just signed a new deal and I'm enjoying my football," Bale told Sky Sports News.
"I'm playing well and I'm playing regularly. The main thing for me, I'm still young, is that I want to be playing week in, week out and getting better, and I'm still at an age where I can keep improving."
Liverpool challenge
Bale admits the presence of Redknapp in the White Hart Lane dugout is one of the reasons for his contentment at the club.
"He lets all the players express themselves, and for a manager to give you that kind of licence there is nothing better," he explained.
The next challenge for Bale is to try and help Tottenham beat Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, although he is expecting a tough game against a side that has strengthened since being pipped to fifth place by Spurs last season.
"We know what they are capable of. They have beaten Arsenalalready and are going to be contenders for the top four, so we're going to have to be right at the peak of our game," he said.
Olympic target
Looking further ahead, Bale has reiterated his desire to be a part of the Great Britain Olympic team in London next summer.
The Football Association of Wales is opposed to the team, along with the Irish FA and Scottish FA, as they fear it could ultimately damage their status as individual countries within Fifa and the special powers they hold as home nations.
However, the FAW is powerless to prevent players taking part and Bale hopes to be involved.
He said: "I think you see it with the rugby. The British Lions manage to do it and still manage to keep their own identities, so I don't see any reason why it can't be sorted."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11675_7183796,00.html?
Whilst that's good to read, I'm a bit concerned that he thinks he's playing well.