Gareth Bale going nowhere

A GREAT week for English clubs in Europe but what a good time it is too for Welsh football at the moment.

In particular, I am referring to Gareth Bale.
My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world.
Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team.
Now, I would say he and Ashley Cole are two of a kind in this country and the two best left-backs in England.
Cole started out at Arsenal as a left-winger. Gareth was a left-winger as a lad too.
The legacy means they can run, attack, score goals and they have amazing engines.
I marvel sometimes at the staying power of young Gareth. He tracks back superbly from attacking positions, can shoot, dribble and is so comfortable coming out of defence.
The main difference between him and Ashley Cole is that he is Welsh - more's the pity.
I would go so far as to say that Gareth is the best player to come out of Wales since Ryan Giggs. As an Englishman, I am highly disappointed he is Welsh.
But if you look around, Wales are producing some good young players again. Aaron Ramsey at Arsenal is another to come from the Valleys, while Cardiff City and Swansea City are doing well in the Championship and Welsh football is looking strong once more.
England will have two tough games facing Wales in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, that is for sure. Gareth is a lovely lad, grounded despite all those qualities that are starting to shine through.
He is an integral part of our team both in the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
I do not make comparisons lightly but he and Ashley Cole are quite similar and that can only be a massive compliment to Gareth.
Plus, I hope, an incentive for him to become an even better player in the next 12 months.
I read in the papers the other day that Gareth's performances for Spurs have already caught the attention of other teams around the world - including Real Madrid and their manager, a certain Jose Mourinho.
Jose certainly knows a player when he sees one. But one thing is for sure. I am not letting Gareth go anywhere.

Tottenham is a team on the up and we are building something at White Hart Lane.
Mourinho can enjoy watching Gareth all he likes but he will be going nowhere.
It is setting up to be a fantastic weekend of sport.
Chelsea v Arsenal on Sunday is a big, big game but we also have the Ryder Cup and the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe on the same day.
I love my golf. I play whenever I can and, though it is not England or Great Britain, I will still be getting right behind the Europeans as they bid to regain the trophy from the Americans.
Anyone thinking of having a punt this weekend should plump for Ian Poulter to be the biggest points scorer for Colin Montgomerie's team and Hunter Mahan for the Yanks.
And go for Mick Channon's horse Youmzain in the Arc.