Former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that ‘Gareth Bale is better without Cristiano Ronaldo’.
The Portuguese Coach managed the Welshman last season when they were both in north London.
But the ex-Chelsea tactician has insisted that the 24-year-old attacker is more of a threat when Ronaldo is not in the Real Madrid team.
“Bale performs better without Ronaldo, he has a far greater role in Madrid’s play when Cristiano isn’t playing,” AVB told O Jogo.
“When there are two reference points like those two in the team, the options end up being divided.
“At Tottenham Bale got used to playing a style of football that offered him the chance of being the main man, that made him the team’s reference point.
“That’s a natural consequence of a team recognising that a player is in outstanding form.
“They receive the ball more and have more chance of having an impact in the play. It also increases their responsibility.”
The tactician then remarked on Bale’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or next term.
“He’s already one of football’s biggest players. The question is whether he’ll repeat his performances at Tottenham while he’s playing alongside the best player in the world in 2013, [Cristiano Ronaldo].”
