The Gareth Bale story has become sad, and even a little embarrassing. After getting away from Real Madrid on loan in the 2020 "summer" transfer window, his bold comeback at Spurs has turned into the non-event of the season.
Once regarded as arguably one of the top five players in the world, he has started only two games and played a meagre 230 minutes in the Premier League all season. His latest appearance saw him hooked just after the hour mark in a limp display at Brighton. Even when Spurs were trailing against Chelsea in their next match, crying out for attacking menace, manager Jose Mourinho left Bale on the bench.