Glenn Hoddle: Tottenham star Gareth Bale would be ideal for Barcelona

The Championships – Wimbledon 2010,Glenn Hoddle (Getty Images)

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Tottenham legend Glen Hoddle believes Gareth Bale would be an ideal signing for Spanish giants Barcelona, but he shouldn’t think about leaving for at least a few years.

Bale has been in scintillating form for Spurs this season, leading to interest from top clubs in Europe and subsequently picking up the PFA Player of the Year award.

And Hoddle believes Bale has what it takes to join the La Liga giants, and that if he keeps improving he will surely be set to join one of Europe’s elite clubs.

“I think he is the most improved player,” he said at the launch of Football 40 and the London Legends Cup.

“If you were doing a school report on someone, he would be the most improved guy in the school.

“He had his problems when he first went to Spurs with injuries. But it just shows you what confidence and belief can change things around.

“I would say he would suit Barcelona,” Hoddle added. “The way Barcelona play with a left-back but don’t play them at left-back, they play with left or right wingers.”

But the former Spurs and England boss insists that the Welsh star would be wrong to leave White Hart Lane just yet, insisting that Harry Redknapp’s side is the best place for Bale to continue his development.

“He would be ideal for Barcelona, but the young kid has a real good work ethic about him. He has his feet on the floor, he has just signed a new contract and I think he might make a mistake if he moves now,” Hoddle continued.

“If he was ever going to move, it should be in two or three years’ time – mature a little bit more, find out what the game is all about.

“It is great when it is going well for him but there will be moments like he had a couple of years ago when you learn a lot more about yourself when things aren’t going quite as well.

“Quite honestly, if he keeps improving and improving – which he looks like the sort of lad that wants to do that – his time will come to move onto a Barcelona and maybe he will be ready to experience that experience in a much more positive way.

“I think he could move too early and Spurs is, for me, a perfect place for him for the next two seasons.”