• Premier League

Bale gives Spurs the silent treatment

ESPN staff
August 16, 2013
Gareth Bale trained with Wales on Monday but did not feature against the Republic of Ireland © PA Photos
Enlarge

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that Gareth Bale has been blanking Spurs as he tries to force through a move to Real Madrid.

Villas-Boas said Bale would miss the first three weeks of the season because of injury but when pressed admitted he was unaware of how the player was feeling as he was not speaking to anyone.

What's in a name?

All of Farnborough FC's players will play under new monikers this season © PA Photos
  • Top Tens: The best (and worst) name changes in sport, starring Jimmy White, John Holmes and Gazza.
  • Click here for more

"Nobody knows Gareth's state of mind because he doesn't speak.The only thing we see is the player arriving in and out of the training ground. But it's fine. Ideally we'd like him to stay here. This is where his future is.

"We are aware that Real Madrid are interested in the player. It doesn't mean that we are willing to negotiate on him. Our idea is to count on Gareth. Speculation has arisen with the player because of the quality that he has and the season he had last season, the amazing moments of individual brilliance. Ideally, we'd like the player to continue belonging to Tottenham.

"We can speak to the players regarding their ambitions and we can explain to them that at certain stages players are under contract and have the responsibility towards their clubs and we as club, or the chairman as the person who controls the club, has to defend their own interest."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Close