Wales Coach Page as Concerned for Stars Fitness as Tottenham
By Aaron Coe
Jose Mourinho likes to protect his Tottenham players and Gareth Bale is no exception, so with Wales preparing to play, what is the plan for Gareth Bale.
Jose Mourinho focused on Gareth “Gary” Southgate last month speaking on behalf of his talisman rounding into form in Harry Kane. Kane seemed to finally be reaching full fitness and the last thing Tottenham wanted was for something to harm that. This month, the attention has been on Gareth “Gary” Bale as the Welshman rounds into fitness and prepares to play for the Wales national team, leading Jose Mourinho to share some thoughts on the protection of his star man from Madrid.
After a worrisome scene at the end of the West Brom game with Bale on ice; Gareth Bale is back in camp with Wales and Rob Page, the assistant coach filling in for Ryan Giggs, shared some thoughts on Bale and what both he and Wales need to do to get the most out of their star. Page noted how Tottenham have really taken their time, building Bale up slowly, which has seemingly worked.
Bale Never Been Fitter
Based on an interview with Coach Page on Sky Sports, Page says he has never seen Bale fitter, although the practice regime thus far has been light as players are still in recovery mode. Page acknowledged Wales has some of Tottenham’s “best players” over the last couple of years and Wales has a medical team “second to none”. Page further admitted that the work from Tottenham suits Wales fine too.
Page noted that Tottenham have been working Gareth Bale to get him into his “absolute peak” condition which is what Wales wants too. As for the little dig about an Arsenal coach working with Wales, Page shrugged that off noting that Jose just wants his players to be “looked after” and he and the staff at Wales will do just that.
At this point, we must take Page at his word, it is positive he sees Bale in better shape, the key is now playing Wale’s and Tottenham’s start appropriately. In this context appropriate means not playing in the friendly and if possible, NOT going for 90 in back-to-back matches, although that may be a lot to ask in the ongoing Nations League group qualifying stages. As you see some of the top goals Bale has scored for Wales, you are reminded why he is so important to the team!
Ultimately, we need to trust not just Wales and their staff, but Gareth Bale himself to do what is right for his own health and for the team that clearly has his best interest in mind. Hopefully in under two weeks that means Bale is lining up preparing to give Kyle Walker a bad day. We will see, but for now we are hearing the right things come out of the Wales camp.