Glenn Hoddle delivers verdict on Tottenham star Gareth Bale

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Glenn Hoddle has suggested to the Evening Standard that Gareth Bale’s form for Tottenham is no longer about fitness and is now more of a mentality issue.

The forward is on loan from Real Madrid and has made just four appearances in the Premier League since his arrival.

Only one of those has come in the way of a start and the majority of his football has come in the Europa League so far.

Bale was tipped by some to take the Premier League by storm once again when he returned during the summer transfer window.

Hoddle wasn’t one of those making such a prediction, however.

He told the Evening Standard: “I always said when he came back that I don’t think we should expect anywhere near the same Gareth Bale that left Tottenham.

“Do not forget that he has not actually been playing in the main Tottenham team. Jose Mourinho has not seen enough from him and I haven’t either.

“Gareth has had some time to get fit and has got fitter, so I don’t think it’s his fitness now. It is a mentality issue now.

“He has to push himself more, physically and mentally and he could be like a brand new player waiting to join the Tottenham squad.

“Gareth isn’t going to be running past four of five players like he used to but I think he can create.”

TBR View – Tottenham need to lower their expectation of Bale

Hoddle is right to suggest that Bale perhaps isn’t the same player these days.

That doesn’t mean that he won’t prove to be a useful addition but he’s unlikely to be the game-changer of a player he was before.

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are undoubtedly more important than the man with 83 caps for Wales.

Bale can still be the creative spark though and Mourinho will hope to see more from him in the coming weeks.

With games coming thick and fast over Christmas, the 31-year-old might get more chances to start.

Bale needs to grasp the opportunities that come his way with both hands and start proving his worth to the Tottenham boss.