There are many young players that show glimpses of potential before the hype machine and unwarranted praise brainwashes them into thinking they’re something they’re not.

And no doubt many favourable superlatives will be heading Gareth Bale’s way over the coming months. But he really does look like the real deal.

Bale’s stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan may have papered over the cracks for Tottenham in their Champions League defeat at Inter Milan, but his attacking prowess seems to be matched only by his attitude to play football freely and in a buoyant spirit.

 

Even though Spurs’ game with the holders was virtually over as a contest in the 15^th minute, as the visitors went three down and had their goalkeeper sent off, Bale continued to play without inhibition as if he was mucking around in the park on a Sunday morning.

The Welshman is hungry. He wants the ball all the time and he’s not afraid to take players on and certainly not afraid of the opposition. In the San Siro he ended up giving one of the world’s best right-backs the run around, who instead of feeling on top of the world after his side went four up was left feeling embarrassed.

And it’s not the first time Bale has shined in the face of adversity. As Wales chased a lost cause in their Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland last week, Bale refused to throw in the towel and still ended up being one of the best players on the pitch, despite his team eventually losing 4-1 in Basel.

In an age where an increasing number of coaches and managers are more concerned with tactics and systems than nurturing talent, it’s great to see a young player encouraged to play with freedom and on instinct. But the price for Harry Redknapp allowing him to flourish into one of the best young players around is the inevitable unwanted interest from other clubs.