Gareth Bale has just minutes ago sealed a superb Champions League hat-trick against the current holders in the San Siro. In doing so the Welshman added another chunk of millions to his value as his burgeoning reputation grew on the European stage. For Fantasy Managers, most notably the thousands that recently shifted Bale from their squad, the hat-trick in the 4-3 defeat for Spurs offered a chilling reminder of his explosive abilities.
The goals mean nothing of course, not least to the outcome of the match. There will also be no rewards for Bale owners this evening. There’s little doubt however, that those who kept the faith with the Welshman will be feeling rather cozy at the prospect of Bale translating that display on a domestic stage.
Bale’s returns have been disappointing of late; the belated reward of the assist for Tom Huddlestone’s goal was his first points for six matches. With Rafael Van der Vaart flourishing alongside him for just a million or so more, it’s little wonder that we’ve seen significant sales. Almost 100,000 managers have got rid since Gameweek 7; they will be fidgeting rather uncomfortably after tonight’s display.
A testing match-up with Everton beckons at the Lane this weekend and tonight’s showing will surely have removed any threat of Bale being rested or indeed shifted to left-back. Having torn apart one of Europe’s best defences, there’s surely no way we will see Bale at full-back in the immediate future. That’s got to be good news for Fantasy Managers or at least those who have resolved the Bale vs Van der Vaart issue in their heads.
There will doubtless be more on that little puzzle to come on these pages, for now we may have just seen the first FPL bandwagon prompted by a European tie.
