Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart: Opponents are scared of facing Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has heaped praise on team-mate Gareth Bale after the Wales international was named PFA Player of the Year.

Bale has been in good form for the majority of the season for Spurs and was the favourite for the award.

The winger has missed most of the last two months through injury, but Van der Vaart still feels the Welshman was the player deserved the award after being a key player for Spurs this season.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the World Cup finalist said: “Bale deserved the PFA award. He’s a great guy and I was really proud of him.

“He’s strong, fast, one of our best players this season and it’s always good when he’s on the pitch because the opposition are always a bit scared of playing against him.”

The PFA awards have once again drawn a lot of criticism due to the time of year the votes are conducted, with many believing the players should vote in May, at the end of the season, rather than in March.