Former Premier League striker Darren Bent was recently asked to rate the likes of Mohamed Salah, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard.
The popular pundit revealed on talkSPORT that he rates Liverpool star Mohamed Salah higher than Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale and Chelsea legend Eden Hazard.
“In my personal opinion I’m starting Salah. Obviously, I’m a big fan of his. I’m benching Bale, and I’m selling Hazard,” Bent said before continuing, “All three of them have produced, and produced in big games. Out of the three Bale has produced in bigger games. But Salah, because of the consistency.”
All three players have been exceptional for their respective clubs, and it can be hard to pick and choose between them. However, Mohamed Salah, who joined Liverpool for £34 million, is undoubtedly far more consistent compared to the other two.
While Bale and Hazard performed consistently at the biggest stage, their fitness and availability was a concern throughout their careers. Hazard’s time at Real Madrid was plagued with injuries, and the Belgian barely managed to make any impact.
He was expected to lead them to glory when the Spanish giants paid a club record money to sign him from Chelsea. Similarly, Gareth Bale faded away towards the end of his Real Madrid career and had persistent injury problems as well.
👀 Darren: “No disrespect to them… Start Salah, Bench Bale, Sell Hazard.”
🔥 Andy: “Bale & Salah are very similar, but I’m starting Bale & Benching Salah…”
Darren Bent & Andy Goldstein play ‘Start, Bench, Sell’ with Bale, Salah & Hazard pic.twitter.com/BeWDebLyL8
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 13, 2023
On the other hand, Salah continues to be a key player for Liverpool since joining them in 2017. He has helped him win every single trophy at club level and has been scoring goals with remarkable consistency. The Egyptian international is not only a more reliable goalscorer compared to Bale and Hazard, his creativity has improved with every passing season.
The 31-year-old has now developed into an elite creator, and his growth as a footballer has been commendable. It is hardly a surprise that Bent has chosen the Liverpool star ahead of the former Real Madrid players.
Salah will undoubtedly go down as a Liverpool legend, and he is also one of the best winners to grace the Premier League in modern history. It remains to be seen whether the Egyptian can help Liverpool win more trophies before leaving the club. He will enter the final year of his contract next summer, and there have been speculations that clubs in Saudi Arabia could look to sign him.
