LONDON (UK) – Jose Mourinho, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, said that he would not give Gareth Bale playing time, adding that he must earn minutes by demonstrating consistency in training.
Although his return on loan from Real Madrid was hailed with much enthusiasm, his impact has remained minimal. The Welsh player has spent most of his time on the bench, starting only one Premier League match and featuring mainly in the Europa League.
“I cannot give players minutes – minutes on the pitch is not something I can give,” Mourinho told media persons ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Wycombe Wanderers on Monday.
“We all know the difficulties that he had for a couple of seasons… The most important thing is to be consistent in training… when a player is consistent in training then he is ready, not to be given minutes but to earn minutes.
“He is working every minute like everybody else at a good intensity and let’s see the way that he reacts… It is also about his confidence. If he feels that the week has had a positive impact on him and, on his confidence, he will play.”
For the trip to Wycombe, Mourinho is expected to take a full squad and is likely to make a number of changes with one eye on Thursday’s Premier League game with champions Liverpool.