Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Teddy Sheringham has revealed that only Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi would have been a better signing than Gareth Bale for the north London club during the summer transfer window.
Seven years after swapping London for Spain, Bale sealed a sensational return to Spurs back in September, returning to the club on a season-long loan deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid.
His return to north London was met with a wave of hype and excitement, with many hopeful that the Wales international would be able to produce the sensational form he produced during his first spell with Spurs.
However, the winger's return to Spurs has so far struggled to live up to expectation, with him having been restricted to just nine appearances in all competitions.
Despite that, Sheringham believes Spurs, who will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon, deserve huge amounts of credit for being able to lure Bale back to the Premier League, admitting that only Messi would have been a better addition.
“I said recently that Gareth Bale is probably as good a signing – apart from signing Lionel Messi, who’s like the best player in the world,” Sheringham told Cardschat.
“For them to get Gareth Bale in the last window was just amazing for me.
“I know he hasn’t come in and done anything so exciting yet, but just to have him there [is brilliant].
“Hopefully, he’s getting better and better fitness-wise and getting used to the Premier League again.
“To have him as backup is amazing.”
Despite Bale's return to Spurs having not played a significant role in their exceptional start to their Premier League campaign, Sheringham has been impressed by what he has seen from his former club so far this term.
At the time of writing, Spurs sit top of the Premier League table, marginally ahead of Liverpool on goal-difference. And with that in mind, Sheringham, who had to separate spells in north London, doesn't believe any further additions would make a difference to the club's title push.
Sheringham added: “To have any more, to sign anyone else, where would you go?
“I think Jose is getting the best out of his players at the moment, and long may that continue, that’s all you can ask as a manager.
“So, you’re top of the league, why would you look at any other places or positions or players to come in when everybody’s performing so well?”
