Jose Mourinho warns Gareth Bale to earn minutes ahead of Wycombe clash
According to Eurosport, Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has warned Gareth Bale that he needs to earn his minutes ahead of the FA Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers.
The 31-year-old Bale returned to Tottenham after a seven-year stint with Real Madrid. Having joined on loan, the Welsh wing-wizard has struggled to accrue playing minutes, often struggling with fitness problems.
Even when fit and available, Bale has been largely relegated to bench-warming duties. Indeed, the Real Madrid loanee has featured just 12 times in all competitions, bagging three goals in the process. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Bale’s game-time this season has largely come in the cup competitions and the Europa League. And ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Adams Park later tonight, Mourinho has insisted that Bale must do well in training to feature regularly.
“I cannot give players minutes – minutes on the pitch is not something I can give. We all know the difficulties that he had for a couple of seasons… The most important thing is to be consistent in training… when a player is consistent in training then he is ready, not to be given minutes but to earn minutes.”
The Portuguese tactician further added that Bale was showing good intensity in training over the past week but needs to build his confidence to play regularly.
“He is working every minute like everybody else at a good intensity and let’s see the way that he reacts… It is also about his confidence. If he feels that the week has had a positive impact on him and, on his confidence, he will play.”
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Tottenham will travel to Adams Park later to take on Wycombe Wanderers and Mourinho will hope that Bale is able to show signs of form in the game.
