BALE FAIL!
Spurs irked by lack of effort from star winger
GARETH BALE’S work-rate is being questioned by Tottenham amid growing disappointment over the Wales winger’s return to the club.
Bale was an unused substitute in Thursday’s 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea, despite the fact spurs were behind for more than an hour of the match. Head coach Jose Mourinho was tetchy when asked about Bale after the game. And there are concerns within the club about Bale’s appetite.
Sportsmail understands there was particular disappointment at Bale’s application during a rare start in the 1-0 defeat by Brighton last sunday. Indeed, even Brighton’s players were said to be surprised at the apparent lack of industry shown
by Bale during the clash at the Amex Stadium.
there is general disappointment at how Bale’s return to the club on loan has gone.
the Southampton academy graduate was not viewed as a priority signing by mourinho, but the club’s hierarchy saw the opportunity to re- sign Bale as too attractive to turn down.
His arrival from real madrid was touted as one of the coups of last summer’s transfer window but Bale has failed to recapture the form that resulted in his world-record move to Spain from White Hart Lane in 2013.
Upon securing his return to north London, Spurs agreed to pay around £250,000 a week of Bale’s mammoth £600,000-a-week salary. And there is acknowledgement at Spurs that Bale is not providing value for money.
mourinho and his staff are still hopeful Bale’s form can improve and that he will play a key role in the run-in — particularly given that Spurs are still fighting in four competitions. But patience appears to be wearing thin.
mourinho knows he must find an answer to Spurs’ poor form quickly, following three straight premier League defeats which have left their Champions League qualification hopes in the balance.
Sources claim there is unease within the tottenham squad about the style of play, specifically that the portuguese’s conservative tactics are holding back the team’s attacking players.
Confidence and morale have been damaged during a run of just two wins from their last 10 premier League matches.
mourinho still has the chance to guide Spurs to a top-four finish and they could also qualify for the Champions League through winning the Europa League.
But no European football next season would have significant financial implications for tottenham, particularly while supporters are not allowed in stadiums.
mourinho’s job security is sure to fluctuate based on how likely he looks to deliver UEFA competition next season.
Asked about the growing strain yesterday, mourinho replied: ‘I put pressure on myself every day. I don’t need others to put pressure.
‘It’s been since 2012 that we had three defeats in a row — but since when without a title (for Spurs)? maybe I can give one.’