If I was asked to name the biggest regret I have this season, as a follower of the EPL, it would be forgetting to put on record or publicly my belief that the wonderkid from Cardiff would emerge as the brightest star in the English game this season.
Friends and acquaintances of mine who have had the (dis)pleasure of discussing footie-related matters with me can attest to my admiration of this Welsh wizard's power, pace and technical abilities ever since last season.
This would have made a fantastic "I TOLD YOU SO" post, but alas, due to my failure to put down that prediction and put money where my mouth is, I am now just but one of the millions of writers in this world lavishing superlative after praise for Gareth Bale in light of his recent purple patch that has seen him score 3 braces in 4 consecutive weeks.
Fans and even casual observers of the game used to only remember him as that player who looked like an extra from the set of Planet of the Apes who forgot to remove his make-up and costume. But in just a matter of a few seasons, look who's monkeying his way into footballing folklore now, folks.
If you hear monkey chants at a Spurs game, it may not always be Adebayor they're targetting.
Whether men came from apes or not, Gareth Bale has certainly evolved (pardon the pun) from his humble beginnings at Saints as an industrious left-back who loved the occasional overlap to a bona fide electrifying left winger whose many drifts and cuts in-filed has left many defences in cold sweat (ask Maicon) and keepers fearing when the next thunderbolt from his left foot would come (ask Jaaskelainen).
Say what you want about AVB's new-and-improved Spurs compact formation or Dembele's combative-yet-creative spark in the middle of the park, but it certainly cannot be denied that whatever the vehicle that is taking Tottenham up the table, it is powered by Bale-fuel.
The ides of March have barely begun and speculation over a summer transfer to either Real or Barca has already been rife. City, United, PSG and Chelsea are also rumoured to be in the chase to land this hotshot. Realistically, Madrid looks his most likely destination, but which true-Blue out there is not secretly yearning to see him tear up and down the Bridge wreaking havoc across defences every other week?
Since Chelsea's chances for any semblance of success this season has all but evaporated, thinking ahead and planning for the future has become a Chelsea fan's only fruitful activity left. At this point in time, here's my take on how we can steady the ship and (hopefully) launch a bid for the EPL and Champs Lge next season:
1. Recall Drogba 2.0, sorry I meant Lukaku, from West Brom. I've said it before and I'll say it again: had Lukaku been blooded in regularly this season, we wouldn't have had to go out to buy Demba Ba as a stop-gap for Torres (this lad's problem is so complicated that it requires a full post on its own so let's not go there) and we'd have easily scored 10-12 more goals than we have all season at this stage. I rate him VERY highly and I'm glad his goals for Steve Clarke have now made many other Chelsea fans wake up from their oblivious state to a gem right under our noses.
2. Continue developing the likes of Azpilicueta, Bertrand, Nathan Ake, Oscar, Lucas Piazon, Marin and Moses. These players need 1-2 more seasons before they will hit top form. Out of the lot, Oscar and Azpili have shown that they have the mettle and stomache to take on the English game despite their Latin and Spanish backgrounds.
3. Sign him up, please. Yes, I'm talking about Frank Lampard. He's scored loads this season. He's pulled Chelsea out of draws and losing positions single-handedly many times too. He has experience. He is still fit. What else does he need to do to show Roman that he's worth it still at this age? To echo the fans in the terraces: SIGN HIM UP!
4. Get a class defensive midfielder. No offense to Mikel or Ramires or Romeu, all 3 who are wonderful in their own ways but sadly nowhere near a Makelele. One of our biggest setbacks this season is that we lack a leader in the middle of the park who could screen, read the game, calm things down and shield the back 4. There were rumours of Andrea Pirlo being earmarked for this role but let's face it, he's probably slightly over the hill now. Chelsea's top priority this summer should be someone in this mould but sprightlier. Vidal or Marchisio of Juventus? If we're talking budget, then we can look no further than Marouane Fellaini, who has impressed tremendously this season.
5. Marquee signings: Gareth Bale and/or Falcao. Yes, they cost a lot of money and yes, sometimes they do turn out to be flops. But if you get a marquee signing right, it can be just the right tonic to inspire and invigorate an entire team to play on a higher level altogether. Look at what Van Persie has done to United this season. Falcao is simply the most deadly striker in Europe today. Bale is simply the winger who has perfectly combined power and pace best this season. He is the alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo. Get them both to dovetail with Mata & Hazard, and you'd have an attack that would tear any team in Europe a new posterior each time they take to the field. Money will be a big object and I am never a fan of splurge signings, but since Roman is intent on his spending spree, then at least splurge on the right players. Bale and/or Falcao.
Well, let's enjoy the last 2 months till the conclusion of the season.
