Tottenham signed the exciting full-back from Southampton after the 17-year-old enjoyed a blistering breakthrough season at St Mary’s. The Welsh international endured a testing introduction to life in the Premier League, playing 24 games without tasting victory, before being linked with a loan-spell to Nottingham Forest. But Bale turned down the move and was eventually moved into a left-wing role by Harry Redknapp, following an injury to first-choice fullback Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Individual awards came Bale’s way, but it was Andre Villas-Boas’ arrival in north London in 2012 that catapulted the winger into one of the world’s most feared attacking threats in a central role.
Change of position: 10 players who became better after changing their role, including Thierry Henry and Sergio Ramos
