Fabregas gives perception of ‘fantastic player’ Bale

Wales star Gareth Bale has the Euros to look forward to, but his club future remains uncertain as he returns to Real Madrid following a loan spell at Tottenham.

Bale’s side take on Switzerland later today after Italy comfortably beat Turkey 3-0 in the other Group A fixture.

The 31-year-old will captain his country at the tournament, with their opening fixture taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Bale spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Spurs, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, despite his playing time being limited throughout the campaign.

The winger was often effective whenever he was used, but Jose Mourinho was stingy with Bale’s playing time before being sacked in April.

A return to Real Madrid looks likely after the Spanish giants appointed Carlo Ancelotti, but the Welshman has remained quiet on his future.

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas opened up on his perception of Bale.

“It’s a strange case with Gareth,” the Spaniard said.

“You never know why, but for me, he’s been so successful – he scored in two Champions League finals, he scored against us (Barcelona) in a cup final, he scored over 100 goals for the club and still people were after him.

“I’m looking at these images right now and I never realised but he seemed so happy.

“It’s not the case there, everyone is accusing him that he loves to play golf, that he doesn’t learn Spanish, which we all agree every time you go to a country, people like to see this effort to accommodate yourself. He’s a fantastic player.”

Speaking after Fabregas, Alan Shearer questioned Mourinho’s part in the loan signing of Bale at Spurs.

Shearer added: “Jose didn’t have the belief in him, whether he signed him or not, we don’t know.

“But when he did play towards the end of the season, he put in some good performances, he scored goals, looked very lively and he’s going to have to take that form and stay fit if Wales are to get out of their group.”