Bale must be given more playing time despite form, says former Tottenham team-mate

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 2 min read

Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has pleaded with manager Jose Mourinho to give more playing time to Gareth Bale, especially now that Harry Kane is injured.

Last week, Kane suffered injuries in both ankles, and although they are not as bad as once feared, he is still set to miss a few games and was already absent for Spurs’ home defeat against Chelsea.

Bale, meanwhile, has started just two Premier League games this season since his sensational loan move from Real Madrid in the summer, with the Welshman mostly being utilised in cup competitions.

He started against Brighton last week and was poor, and then didn’t even make it off the bench against Chelsea, with Mourinho bringing on Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura in attacking positions instead.

Dawson, a former team-mate of Bale’s, believes he needs to be given a run of form in the team in order to succeed.

“We all talked about the front three they would have with [Heung-min] Son, Harry, and obviously Gareth,” he said to talkSPORT.

“He (Bale) came with an injury, he hasn’t hit the ground running. In his defence, he hasn’t had many minutes. When he has, he hasn’t performed.

“But, he needs time, he needs game time. He was out for a few weeks when he came back, then he was chucked into cup games and does okay.

“You need a run of games. One game here or there, 10 minutes here or there – it doesn’t give you the opportunity.

“Yes, he played against Brighton and he wasn’t great. But, give him a chance, go again, stick with him for three or four games.”

Dawson also reckons that Tottenham need to find a solution to their attacking issues, whether it be Bale or not, when Kane isn’t playing, as without him they are poor.

“We’ve lost Harry – Harry is our main man, there’s no hiding that,” he continued, with regards to Kane’s recent injury.

“You cannot be successful without a player like that because you can’t replace him. Spurs cannot replace Harry, and you’ve seen it.

“The proof is in the pudding, they are not performing when Harry isn’t there, and the have to find the solution to do that.”

Tottenham have won just two games out of their last seven in a run of form which has seen them drop down to eighth in the Premier League.