Mourinho: When Gareth’s fit, he’d get in any team in the world

JOSE MOURINHO believes there isn’t a manager in world football who would turn their nose up at Gareth Bale when he is in the kind of form and fitness on show against Burnley on Sunday. The Tottenham manager and Bale appeared close to a public falling out three weeks ago over their opposing views of the forward’s fitness. But after promising performances in his previous two games, Bale excelled during only his third league start of the season with a pair of goals and an assist in the 4-0 thrashing of Burnley. The loanee, who has struggled so notably since his move from Real Madrid, was easily the best player on the pitch. Mourinho said: ‘Gareth is a very experienced guy, he knows his body better than anyone. It would be very nice for me now to say that I handled the situation amazingly well. ‘Sometimes people write things and sometimes some of you like to imagine stories, to say things that are not really true. There is not one single manager in the world that doesn’t play Gareth Bale, if Gareth Bale is in very good condition. ‘It’s not just about the two goals he scored, it’s fundamentally about his physical performance. Now he’s not flat. He has ups and downs in the speed of his actions. His condition is very good.’ Despite Bale’s strong performance, Mourinho insisted he will still have to use him sparingly as Spurs manage their busy domestic and European schedules. He said: ‘A player that gives me this kind of performance, of course I want to play him on Thursday, on Sunday and I want to play him next week, but I don’t think I can.’ Bale added: ‘I have been building up a little bit to get fully fit — I felt comfortable and my form is coming back. I know you get criticism but I am experienced enough to keep my head down and not say anything stupid.’ Burnley manager Sean Dyche was exasperated after his side surrendered a four-game unbeaten run in the league. Pointing to lax defending as they conceded two goals inside the opening 15 minutes, he said: ‘If you keep those games tight, these big sides get nervous. We never got near to getting them to that stage. ‘Their form was indifferent but that doesn’t mean they are not a top side. We still had to turn up.’