It would be safe to say things have not quite worked out for Gareth Bale over the last few years.
Despite being recognised as one of the best players in the world at certain moments throughout his career, the Wales international has been able to spend more time on the golf course than he has on a football pitch, whether that be by choice or not.
Having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, despite helping Los Blancos to win multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with top performances and some excellent contributions, Bale made his return to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer in an effort to reinvigorate his career.
Move to Tottenham Hotspur has not worked
However, it does not appear as though things have gone his way under Jose Mourinho at Spurs, as he has found life incredibly difficult back in north London with the team that turned him into a star to begin with.
Ever since signing on a deadline day season-long loan deal, it had always been widely recognised that it would take time for Bale to get back to his best. The Wales international had not been playing regularly for Real Madrid for some time and he had been severely lacking in fitness.
However, as time has gone on, it seems his chances of making a revival at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium are getting slimmer and slimmer with each matchweek, as Mourinho appears to be unprepared to use him for a significant period of time, perhaps much to the annoyance of fans and bettors who use https://www.betting24.fi/ for all of their football betting requirements.
Limited appearances for Spurs
Bale has gone on to make just 16 appearances for Spurs since re-signing with the club (as of 16 February), although he has had to settle mostly with opportunities from the substitute bench. In fact, he has started just 7% of the Premier League games he has played in.
Nonetheless, despite the limited opportunities he has had, he has not fared too badly as he has four goals to his name, with one coming in each competition that he has played in. But, Mourinho does not appear to be convinced with the 31-year-old’s performances and has opted for the likes of Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso, Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura as well as Son Heung-min in the wide attacking areas of the field.
Injuries
In addition, injuries really have not helped Bale and the chances he has been afforded, as the Wales superstar has had to miss a total of 4 games because of a calf injury he picked up over the festive period.
Unfortunately, injuries for him are nothing new, as he missed a total of 95 matches for Real Madrid since making the move to the Spanish capital, with many involving his hips and leg muscles.
Future looks bleak
With the way things are going, it would appear that Gareth Bale is heading back to Real Madrid, a club who do not want him, nor a club where he wants to be, thus leaving his football career in a rather precarious position. With his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu not expiring until the summer of 2022, he could be facing another season on the sidelines before he is able to find another club willing to give him an opportunity.
Admittedly, it is unlikely he will be without potential suitors, but he will need to bring down any wage requirements for a move to happen, otherwise he might have to hang up the football boots and put on some golfing shoes permanently instead.
