Tottenham lack world class Gareth Bale-type players, claims Tim Sherwood

Tottenham Hotspur lack world class Gareth Bale-type players, according to Tim Sherwood.

Spurs have struggled to cope with the Welshman’s departure this season after Bale sealed a £85.3m move to Real Madrid last summer.

Are there any world class Gareth Bale-type players (in the Tottenham squad)? No, there are not

Tim Sherwood

Tottenham spent in excess of £100m on new players but club-record signing Erik Lamela and £27.5m striker Roberto Soldado have struggled in the premier League.

And Sherwood, who replaced Andre Villas-Boas in December, feels Spurs lack variety in midfield since Bale’s big-money move to La Liga.

“Are there any world class Gareth Bale-type players (in the Tottenham squad)? No, there are not,” Sherwood said.

“Always you look for blend. Some of the guys are quite similar in the way that they play. We need different types of midfield player, for instance.

“But it is unfair to compare anybody to Gareth. He is exceptional, isn’t he?

“I am not sure Everton have got a world-class player (either) but what they have got is a good way of playing.

“He (Everton boss Roberto Martinez) has had time to work with his players and has certainly had the best transfer window of anybody, bringing those three players in (Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu).

“The other teams up there have certainly got world-class players.”

Tottenham are seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal in the hunt for a top-four finish.