Since his return to Tottenham from Los Blancos on a season-long loan, Bale has been struggling for form and the inevitable questions over whether he is past his best are already surfacing.
Glenn Hoddle is one of those who believes Tottenham will not see the Gareth Bale of old following his return from Real Madrid.
Bale’s return was billed as a dream one for both Spurs and the Welshman after his seven years at Real Madrid but things have not quite gone to plan, with Bale only appearing in six Premier League games to date with his battle for full match fitness ongoing.
The Welshman’s performances so far this season have Spurs fans wondering whether they will ever see Bale at his best again, or whether he has indeed passed his peak.
And, according to former midfielder and manager Hoddle, it’s likely the latter, as he told the Evening Standard,
“I always said when he came back that I do not think we should expect anywhere near the same Gareth Bale that left Tottenham or achieved what he did at Real Madrid.
“Do not forget that he has not actually been playing in the main Spurs team. Jose Mourinho has not seen enough from him and I have not seen enough from him. Gareth has had time to get fit and has got fitter, so I do not think it is his fitness now. It is a mentality with him now.
“He has to push himself more, physically and mentally, and he could be like a brand new player waiting to join this Tottenham squad. He has just been on the periphery and he has to be a little bit more, ‘I am the man, you have got to give me the ball’.
“Gareth is not going to be running past four or five players like he used to but I think he can create. He has a good pass on him and with more time on the pitch he will get a good link with Harry Kane and Heung min-Son.
“One of the things Tottenham are lacking is creativity. There is not that creative spark. Gareth Bale coming back would be sensational. But he has more to show.”