It's like Ronaldo (but on another level talent-wise), I liked the younger winger version better too. He isn't running with the ball as much as he used to, he perfected the in-game arrhythmia and upgraded his end product. Yet, he isn't that fun to watch anymore.I actually prefer the younger version of Bale (stylistically) who was a left winger and think it suited him much more than his inside right role. Didn't have the crazy productivity but found him more consistently influential throughout games with better work rate as well.
The inside forward version Bale of Spurs last season and Real is ultimately the better player and more productive statistically but I personally found the younger left wing version more exciting and more influential throughout games.
The Bale of 2011 was still a pretty efficient and frightening version himself. He was good enough to win PFA players player of the year and got into the UEFA team of the year whilst being recognized as one of the top left wingers in the world. Just ask Maicon.
It wasn't as though he was all tricks and flicks with no end product. He did score about 10 goals and had a good assist record but his gameplay was more than just statistics though.
I just think the left wing version of Bale was more of a consistent threat in matches in relative to the current version who is slightly more sporadic with his impact on matches but more efficient and productive in terms of statistics. Think he would be a much better player right now if he continued his trajectory as a left winger/midfielder. He was a proper buccaneering presence on the left and tbh I just don't think he has the sheer technique and close control to play that inside forward role to perfection like Robben for instance. Still an excellent inside forward nonetheless.
Add to this that Bale was always more defensively solid and hardworking. But the latter version still is the better version of him that would win you games on his own more often than not and it would be strange not to use him when your and other teams are not exactly overcrowded with that kind of a talent. In all-time draft (if you were unlucky enough to end up with Bale in your all-time XI
) it would be a wise decision to shift him on the left to accommodate more talented players - but he is head and shoulders above other attacking players in NM's team
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