Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says Gareth Bale is already one of the best players in the world.
In his column for The Sun, Redknapp wrote: "My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world.
"Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team.
"Now, I would say he and Ashley Cole are two of a kind in this country and the two best left-backs in England.
"Cole started out at Arsenal as a left-winger. Gareth was a left-winger as a lad too.
"The legacy means they can run, attack, score goals and they have amazing engines.
"I marvel sometimes at the staying power of young Gareth. He tracks back superbly from attacking positions, can shoot, dribble and is so comfortable coming out of defence.
"The main difference between him and Ashley Cole is that he is Welsh - more's the pity.
"I would go so far as to say that Gareth is the best player to come out of Wales since Ryan Giggs. As an Englishman, I am highly disappointed he is Welsh.
"But if you look around, Wales are producing some good young players again. Aaron Ramsey at Arsenal is another to come from the Valleys, while Cardiff City and Swansea City are doing well in the Championship and Welsh football is looking strong once more."
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