Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports that Gareth Bale still can’t play a full Premier League match.
Bale came off the bench for Tottenham last night and he scored the winner against Brighton & Hove Albion.
But it seems that the 31-year-old will continue to be used as in impact sub in the coming weeks, as his fitness levels still need work.
“Gareth Bale is very stable, very mature, he knows his body better than anyone, we know where we want to go and he’s with us on that journey,” he said.
“He doesn’t have 90 minutes of Premier League in his legs, the Europa League is helping him to get there. Today he came and scored, he is more dynamic than he was against West Ham, more agile.”
Mourinho then went on to confirm that Bale would start for Tottenham on Thursday against Ludogorets in the Europa League, but the plan is to manage his minutes.
“He is of course getting better and better and better. He will start again on Thursday but he will not play 90 minutes. I will use him in the right way,” he said to Football London.
Despite Mourinho seemingly being hesitant to start Bale, he must be pushing for a first-team place now.
Mourinho has seemingly been unconvinced by Steven Bergwijn and Erik Lamela did not do enough to convince last night on a rare start.
Bale’s goal has pushed Tottenham up to second in the Premier League table, with optimism growing about their title chances.
Spurs are next in league action against West Bromwich Albion, before they face a very tough run of fixtures.
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