‘Gareth Bale doesn’t even try to sprint in games, he just jogs’

Jose Mourinho has given up on Gareth Bale at Tottenham as the manager ‘doesn’t know what to do’ with the ‘disappointing’ superstar.

That’s the verdict from talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino, who has criticised the Welshman for his lack of effort since returning to Spurs last summer, saying ‘he doesn’t even try to sprint’.

There’s no other way to say it – Bale’s return to White Hart Lane has been nothing short of a failure so far.

Arriving to the sound of hysteria from supporters, and expectations that he could help turn Tottenham into one of the world’s most lethal attacking forces, the fan favourite has barely made an impact since completing his loan from Real Madrid.

Bale has made just TWO Premier League starts, completed the full 90 minutes just ONCE, and the bulk of his 15 appearances have come in the Europa League and brief cameos from the bench, scoring only four goals.

More questions were asked over Bale’s place in the team this week, after he was left out on the entire squad Spurs’ FA Cup fifth round clash against Everton.

The winger had posted on social media that he was ready to play after ‘a good session’ in training, only for boss Mourinho to say that was a ‘contradiction’ of reality and was ‘totally wrong’, claiming Bale had asked for a scan on an injury and was not available.

A lot has already been said on talkSPORT about Bale’s flopped Tottenham return, with his former boss Harry Redknapp defending him and insisting the winger needs an arm around him to perform at his best, while ex-Spurs striker Darren Bent said it was only a matter of time until Bale and Mourinho ‘butted heads’.

But Cascarino believes the blame for his failed move lies solely at Bale’s own feet, accusing the ace of a lack of effort on the pitch.

“I’ve been watching Gareth Bale in games, and he just jogs,” said the former Chelsea striker.

“Everyone keeps saying he’s lost his pace, but I’m not even seeing him trying to sprint. There is an effort he has to put in.

“For someone who hadn’t played the game for as long as he had because of what happened at Real Madrid, you’d think he would come over to Tottenham and show a hunger and a desire to be in this team.

“But I think Jose has been so disappointed in the reaction that he’s got from Gareth Bale, I think he probably doesn’t know what to do, where to turn with him and how to handle him – except not play him.”

Clive Allen worked closely with Bale during his celebrated first spell at Tottenham, and has always been a big supporter of the Welshman.

But even the Spurs legend admitted on Saturday he looks a shadow of the player he used to coach.

“It’s not working for him,” said the former Tottenham striker.

“There has been stuff in the press about Bale saying he’s had a good session but Mourinho saying he’s not even being involved… he’s obviously not at the level Jose wants from Gareth Bale.

“We know his talent, we know he is exceptionally talented, but he hasn’t shown that since coming on loan from Real Madrid.

“I think it’s a problem. It’s not something that’s conducive for the team going forward, because at the moment Spurs are not getting the best out of Gareth Bale.”