Lineker: Walcott not in the same league as Bale

Mar 16, 2013 12:00:00 AM

The former Tottenham striker says that the 23-year old is on a different level to the Arsenal forward - but warns the Welshman to eradicate diving from his game

Former England and Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has claimed that Arsenal star Theo Walcott “is not quite in the same league” as Spurs’ top-scorer Gareth Bale.

Lineker went on to suggest that Bale has the potential to be one of the best players in the world and that the Welsh player reminds him of Cristiano Ronaldo - in both his game and progression in football.

Lineker told Absolute Radio: "Spurs have got Bale. People talk about Walcott but I don't think they are quite in the same league personally."


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"He could be right up there. You know he’s starting to remind you a little bit of Ronaldo in the way he plays and Ronaldo made the sort of similar sort of steps towards the ability that he’s now showing.

"He’s phenomenally talented, he’s unbelievably fast and he’s strong and he strikes the ball beautifully as good as anyone around.

"He’s also good in the air, he’s got all the attributes to be an absolute all time great.

"If he can keep the consistency that he’s shown certainly in 2013, if he can keep that going for a year or two, he’ll be right up there amongst the best handful of players in the world."

Lineker moved to Tottenham from Barcelona in 1989, scoring an impressive 67 goals in 105 appearances for the north London side during his three seasons at the club.

On the subject of whether Bale has an unfair reputation for diving, Lineker used Lionel Messi as an example to the Welshman.

The former striker continued: “Well you know you tend to create these things for yourself. So that’s something that he probably needs to look at.

“Messi doesn’t ever dive which is another amazing attribute to him. There are one or two incidents where he’s clearly thrown himself to the ground and then people look for it.

“If I were him now I’d try and eradicate that from my game."

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