Jamie Redknapp: Spurs should push the boat out for Bale, Wenger needs to be given funds, Carroll to stay... and my team of the season revealed
Spurs have to keep Gareth Bale. He’s scored 21 goals this season and nine from outside the box, the highest total of long range goals in Europe’s top leagues. He deserves Champions League football but I hope he is patient and that Tottenham push the boat out for him now.
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Key man: Spurs need to pay whatever it costs to keep Gareth BaleThe top three are all changing managers, so maybe it’s time we appreciated how good Arsene Wenger is. He’s done it again (OK, he’s not won a trophy, but he has qualified for the Champions League) and this is his weakest team. Now spend and let’s see how good he can really be.
Farewell to a legendStrange that Michael Owen retires and I don’t see a pull-out in any newspaper. We’ve been quick to acknowledge the departure of football’s greats recently, but from the age of 18 to 24 he was a world beater. It didn’t finish like it should have done for one of the greatest English finishers.
Carroll to stayA hat-trick for Kevin Nolan but all eyes at West Ham are on the future of Andy Carroll. Finishing 10th is a terrific return to the top flight and Carroll’s recall to the England squad may convince him he has found the place where he can settle and still progress his career. He should sign to stay.
Lukaku wanted manJose Mourinho loved Didier Drogba as the focal point of his Chelsea attack, so the hat-trick for Romelu Lukaku against Manchester United has come in good time for the returning manager. But if Baby Drogba is not going to play regularly then another loan will keep him active. I can think of lots of takers.
Wells feeling betterWe all felt Bradford’s pain when Swansea played with them at the Capital One Cup final and beat them 5-0. But Phil Parkinson’s team came back to Wembley on Saturday and showed their talents. Nahki Wells, 22, deserves to play at a higher level and now he will. Well done to them.
My goal of the season is...Luis Suarez might not be Mr Popular in all quarters but Liverpool have to keep him and if they need a reminder, watch a re-run of his goal against Newcastle. He took a long ball over his shoulder and on his chest, evaded Fabricio Coloccini and slipped it in. Genius.
Focal point: Is Romelu Lukaku set to become Jose Mourinho's new Didier Drogba Goal of the season: Luis Suarez brilliantly controls the ball and then takes it past Tim Krul to score&