Tim Sherwood has told Premier League Productions that he believes Gareth Bale isn’t playing for Tottenham Hotspur as Steven Bergwijn simply does a better job than him for the team.
Bergwijn seems to have emerged as Jose Mourinho’s first choice to accompany Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son in attack in recent weeks.
The Dutch winger has started regularly for Spurs of late, with his defensive work catching the eye.
And Sherwood thinks that Bale could have to have a watching brief for much of the season now, as Bergwijn simply is a better fit for Tottenham at the moment.
“They have two wide players in Son and Bergwijn who are willing to do the yards backwards, because they have the pace to support Kane in attack when they win the ball,” Sherwood said.
“If we ever wondered why Bale is not playing, for the benefit of the team Bergwijn does a better job.
“When you look at the teammates when they came in, you believe he is playing one of three [in attack]. He’s not, he’s just worried about Tierney.”
Bergwijn must be credited for forcing his way into Tottenham’s team, as he has also held off a challenge from Lucas Moura for a spot.
Whether Bale will continue to be happy playing such a fringe role for the whole season remains to be seen, though.
The Welshman is still building his fitness up, but there is an expectation that he could push into Tottenhams team when he is fully match sharp again, and be part of what looks like a devastating attack.
It must be said that when Bale has been given a chance to start for Spurs, mostly in the Europa League, he is yet to really put a marker down so far.
And unless his form improves in European competition it is difficult to see how he displaces Bergwijn in the near future.
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