Tottenham boast the best left-sided player in the league, says manager Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp admits he's delighted with the progress of Gareth Bale, who struck both goals in victory at Stoke City.
"When I first came, he was still a baby and every time he got a knock, he'd limp off, then be all right again in five minutes," said the Tottenham boss.
"It was every time he got touched. He needed to toughen up. I told him, 'Come on Gareth, stop messing about with your barnet'. Never mind that run being a burden for him. It was becoming a burden for me! I'm superstitious and it played on my mind.
"As it was growing, Sir Alex Ferguson said, 'How can you pick him - I couldn't'. So it was difficult.
"What's changed? Well, he's just grown up. He realised he had to be tougher mentally if he was going to make it in the Premier League and I think he's done that.
"I wouldn't have sold him. I knew there was a player in there. I still think he'll be a left back. If he's going to be the best anywhere, I think it'll be from there.
"Benoit (Assou-Ekotto) does well for me. But Gareth played at left back against Benfica the other week and I've not seen a performance like it - he kept running from deep in his own half, crossing balls from their by-line, then getting back in. Now he's just top-class. He's as good as anything around. You couldn't even put a value on him. Almost any club in the world would want him - in fact, I know they would.
"I can't think of a better left-sided player. That left foot of his is amazing, he can run all day and he can head it, he's 6ft 2in. That volley showed unbelievable technique. He's got everything."
