Former Wales forward Robert Earnshaw has insisted the USMNT must be wary of the threat Gareth Bale can cause ahead of their World Cup clash on Monday.
Bale has declared himself 'ready to go' following fitness concerns in the build-up to the tournament having spent the last season in the MLS. With Wales once again seen as underdogs to progress from Group B, hopes will no doubt once again be resting on the former Tottenham star's shoulders.
Having qualified for their first World Cup since 1958, merely reaching the tournament in Qatar is seen as a huge honor for most on-watchers. With England and Iran still to come too, Earnshaw believes Bales can deliver on the biggest stage of all, as he has for his county before.
READ MORE: Gareth Bale gives fitness update ahead of Wales World Cup opener vs USMNT
“He’s had a little bit of stick and you expect that,” former Wales striker Earnshaw told the PA news agency. “They are passionate people and want to see him play so much. It was such a bombshell transfer, completely unexpected, and it excited everyone.
“He’s not been in the best health where he’s absolutely ready to go, and he’s had to build himself and his fitness up. But he’s been looking at the World Cup, which is understandable, and I think he’ll be ready to go when it starts. You’ve seen flashes of the top Gareth Bale in the MLS, and he is capable of the highest amount of magic on a football pitch with his left foot.”
Gregg Berhalter's USA are relatively inexperienced heading into the competition and Earnshaw added: “They’ve got some good players and they’ve been building up to this World Cup like us. Normally their best players have been older and playing at big clubs. What they have now is young players at very good clubs in Europe.''
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