Speaking on the BBC Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have been discussing Gareth Bale’s return to Tottenham Hotspur last season.
The Match of the Day lads were tasked with ranking the top 10 romantic returns of the Premier League era, and Bale’s dramatic return to Tottenham made the grade.
However, despite the fact Bale made the top 10, Shearer wasn’t convinced about the Welshman’s stint back in north London.
What’s been said?
Shearer was speaking about Bale’s return to Tottenham.
“I got the feeling that Jose never really wanted him,” Shearer said about Bale’s return.
Richards echoed that sentiment, claiming that Spurs simply wanted to make a statement signing
“They wanted to bring in someone to say that they were challenging. He was just a different player, when he played on the right and cut in on the left, he didn’t look as devastating as he did in the past. I think he did really well though. He looked very technical,” Richards said.
“We did an FA Cup game last season and I remember Gareth Bale sat on the bench, and he just looked a lonely figure and I just thought it didn’t look right at all him sat on the bench with the career he’s had. I mean, he’s not that old, is he?” Shearer concluded.
Not Jose’s player
It was quite clear from day one that Mourinho wasn’t Bale’s biggest fan during his time at Spurs.
He consistently benched him despite bright performances as a sub and he refused to ever really give him a run in the team.
Ryan Mason gave Bale more of a chance when he came in and lo and behold, the Welshman proved to be a real asset, but for the majority of that season, Bale was unwelcome at Spurs.
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