Gareth Bale’s move from Tottenham to Real Madrid for £85.3m surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s fee and making it the biggest transfer in football history, but here are five players that I would rather have in my side that the Wales international, other than Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
Note that I would rather have these players right now, age or potential isn’t taken into account.
1) Mesut Ozil
Yes, I said it. Ozil, for me, is criminally underrated. He may have just secured a big money move to Arsenal, but the fee that the Gunners signed him for wasn’t even half of what Bale went for, which is incredible.
Ozil was the most creative player in La Liga last season, creating 91 chances for his colleagues. He made 13 assists and scored nine goals, and is more pleasing on the eye, in my opinion, than Bale.
2) Radamel Falcao
The Colombian hit 28 La Liga goals last term for Atletico Madrid and has already scored three in four games for new side Monaco. The 27-year-old guarantees you a lorry load of goals and is able to lead your line to the very highest of quality.
3) Franck Ribery
Although Ribery is now 30, he seems to be coming into the peak of his career. He was in top form last season and ripped apart the Bundesliga, and was duly named the Best Player in Europe.
I’m not saying I’d pay the price Madrid paid for Bale, but for 10 goals, 86 chances created and a shot accuracy of 67% all season last time out, and 12 chances created and a goal already scored this, I’d prefer the Frenchman.
4) Robin van Persie
Not a lot to say here, RVP hit 26 Premier League goals last time and another hatful in other competitions. He offers great efficiency going forward, a high ball retention and incredible accuracy in front of goal. I would rather have van Persie in my side than Bale.
5) Marco Reus
He may not have the strength of Bale, nor the directness, but his creativity and agile style of play make him a more attractive player to me. Last season Reus scored 14 goals and created 59 chances for his team-mates, and is more of a team player than Bale.