Gareth Bale’s lack of Premier League minutes for Tottenham Hotspur this season is starting to get increased coverage in the Spanish media.
The Welshman joined Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in the summer market, in a move which looked like it could work out well for all involved. He was treated like a hero returning to the London club, and is a player Jose Mourinho has long spoken about his admiration for.
Real Madrid were happy because the move allowed them to pass some of Bale’s wages over to Tottenham, and there was the chance of the player increasing his value in English football.
So far this season, Bale only has 116 minutes in the Premier League, with his last appearance in the competition coming in early November against West Brom.
He hasn’t managed to be fully fit and available for a prolonged period since moving back to Tottenham, and this situation is causing a reaction in Spain.
Whilst it partly feels like an effort to get a we-told-you-so slant out there, there’s also a wider worry for Real Madrid. Should Bale not manage to change things then it’s unlikely Spurs will seek to make the move permanent, and other suitors won’t be impressed either.
That can all change on Sunday if Bale has managed to get over his latest problem, an illness, and has some good minutes against Leicester City.
