Chris Waddle: 'Bale has work to do to match Messi and Ronaldo'

Chris Waddle believes that Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale is the most exciting player in English football but feels he has a long way to go before he can match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bale has been in outstanding form this season and continued his excellent campaign with a match-winning performance against West Ham United.

Waddle said in his column in the Daily Mail: "What Gareth Bale is doing right now is unbelievable. He's the most exciting player in English football and teams will work on stopping him.

"He's come of age this season, adding consistency. But he has to deliver this form for four or five years before we can start talking about him at the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo."

Tottenham are now third in the Premier League and four points clear of Arsenal in fifth place.