Tottenham: Will Jose Mourinho Begin “Gary” Campaign on Wales?

With the international break just around the corner and Jose Mourinho known for protecting Tottenham players, what will he have to say about Bale and Wales.

The call-up is almost inevitable at this point. As the captain and talisman for his country, the chances of him not getting a call-up are very slim. No, we are not talking about Harry Kane this time – although Kane will get called-up too – rather we are talking about Gareth Bale. The last time Bale went to play with Wales he was a member of Real Madrid but returned to Spain injured.

Bale’s Last Call Up

Shortly after the early September Nations League matches Gareth Bale was loaned to Tottenham and he is just now starting to round back into form. A member of the Wales National team since 2006 and a mainstay ever since. Bale became team captain in late 2018 but missed the country’s last three matches as he has recovered from that September injury.

Now the situations are quite different as Bale was not playing for Madrid. Since Bale was not playing, he was not in game shape. Even if he was getting good conditioning in practice, conditioning is far different than game fitness. As Mourinho has noted and we reported, Bale is just now starting to get into condition to go for 90 minutes for Tottenham, after a very measured training program. In other words, Bale will not just be thrown into the deep end like he was in September playing some 135 minutes in two games over 4 days.

This brings us back to today and the reality that like his teammates Ben Davies and Joe Rodon, Bale is likely to be called up to the National team. Given his importance to his country is even greater than it was at either Madrid or Tottenham, Bale is likely to play. Wales has three games a friendly and two Nations League matches.

Protecting Tottenham Stars

With England, Mourinho promised Gareth Southgate he would not play Harry Kane in any friendlies and just asked that “Gary” Southgate do the same. In the end Southgate obliged and Kane sat the friendly then played half of the first Nations League match and the entire second game. Of course, he was one of only 10 in that second, but that is a different story.

Now with Bale, will Mourinho bring a similar tact asking for Bale to sit any friendlies and hope he is limited to a game and a half or at most 2 games. Or might Mourinho try to apply more pressure and limit the games even more. Ryan Giggs – Wales manager – is a player Mourinho knows and could not just use the media with, but likely pick up the phone and call.

However, Giggs has bigger things to worry about currently according to CNN and other outlets. This means Robert Page will be manager for this break. Given there is a rookie skipper at the helm, might we even hear more from Mourinho, asking Bale to sit out completely? Or do we see the ordinary, save him, be smart, kind of approach?

Regardless, Gareth Bale and his body are more prepared than two months ago. Now does that mean he is ready to go 90 on the international level or not, we do not know. What we do know is the less ready Mourinho feels Bale is, the more we will hear from him in the coming days and weeks, campaigning for his players protection. Based on Bale’s last time out with Wales, who can blame him?

Expect Jose to start his politicking soon as he seeks to protect his side and his club’s investment. As for the other “Gary” and Spurs English talisman Harry, Jose will have something to say to him too, there is enough Mourinho to go around.