Once described as the “next David Beckham”, David Bentley
has found it hard to live up to the mantle of one of the great icons of the
game but, with the midfielder set to return to English football, it might well
be time for Bentley to show what he is capable of.
Having burst onto the stage at perennial football betting
favourites, Arsenal, and learning his trade with some of the Premier League
greats in the early 2000s, Bentley soon found first-team games with the Gunners
hard to come by.
Manager, Arsene Wenger, clearly saw something in Bentley that
was not fitting in with his ethos at the north London club and the youngster
was shipped on loan to the likes of Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, before
making a permanent move to Ewood Park.
Bentley has pretty much been a nomad ever since and a move to
Tottenham Hotspur saw further loan spells with the likes of Birmingham City,
West Ham United, and, most recently, Russian outfit, Rostov.
However, the now 28-year-old looks like he has done plenty
of growing up and a return to White Hart Lane is set for next month with a host
of clubs interested in the midfielder.
Bentley told Sky Sports: "I have really enjoyed my time
at Rostov and I am feeling fully fit after playing on a regular basis.
"I will return to Tottenham in January and find out
what is happening with regards my future, but ideally I want to be playing -
whether that be at Tottenham or somewhere else."
It remains to be seen whether he has a future under Spurs
boss, Andre Villas-Boas, but Bentley is looking forward to getting back to England
and having one last proper crack at the rigors of the Premier League – and,
with it, a shot at playing for his country at World Cup 2014.