ROY KEANE claims Gareth Bale ‘looks way off it’ and doubts the Tottenham superstar can rediscover his top form.
The Welsh winger, 31, rejoined his former side on loan from Real Madrid over the summer.
Roy Keane fears Gareth Bale will not rediscover his old form at SpursCredit: AFP
Bale’s return caused much excitement among Spurs fans, who were left salivating at the prospect of a front three involving him, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Bale scored 55 goals in 203 games during his Spurs stint, earning an £89million switch to Real in 2013.
He stayed at a consistently high level in Madrid with 105 goals in 251 matches.
However, Bale is yet to get a proper go under Jose Mourinho, featuring just three times in the Premier League.
His latest appearance was as a sub in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester.
And former Man United star-turned-pundit Keane reckons Bale will never reach the same heights that saw him win four Champions Leagues in Spain.
The Irishman told Sky Sports: “I don’t see him getting back to the level he was a few years ago.
“Top players, you’ve got to play week in and week out.
Keane believes Bale is not getting enough games after rejoining Spurs on loan from Real MadridCredit: PA:Press Association
“With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and when Bale is at his best – we’re going back a few years now.
“I know he’s produced big moments in big moments – but he looks way off it.”
But fellow pundit Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink disagreed with the verdict, responding: “Bale needs a run of games.
“You cannot expect him to come on at half time and change things straight away when he has not had five or six games in a row.
“He’s somebody that needs to get into a rhythm and needs opportunities to play.
“He’s not played enough for my liking and also, at Real Madrid, he didn’t play, so you need to give him time.”
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho admits Gareth Bale isn’t the star he once was but says neither are Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
