Bale issued a Mourinho challenge amid Tottenham woes

The Real Madrid loanee has struggled to win over Mourinho since sealing a return to north London for this season.

Graeme Souness has urged Gareth Bale to challenge Jose Mourinho over his lack of opportunities at Tottenham rather than settle for a bench spot.

The 31-year-old’s return to Spurs on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid was met with much fanfare. However, he has made only six appearances in the Premier League amid fitness issues. Most of his minutes have come in domestic cup competitions and the Europa League instead.

And, in only his second start of the league season on Sunday, Bale again disappointed as Spurs crashed to a 1-0 defeat to Brighton. He was ineffective for over an hour before Mourinho replaced him with Lucas Moura.

“I am looking at him, a world-class player, he comes back to the club he professes to love, and it’s as if he has been happy to sit on the bench,” said Liverpool legend Souness on Sky Sports.

“Now, if he is not happy with that, and that is what he was accused of at Real Madrid, if he is not happy, then be vocal about it, let the Spurs supporters know you are not happy and not getting enough minutes.

“This is a guy who was a genuine – and we don’t know if he still is because we haven’t seen enough of him – world-class footballer. At 31, this should be his peak years.

“I played my best football at 31. This should be his best years, coming back where he is much-loved. During games, subs are being made, and the camera goes on him. He is not perturbed at not being one of the players going on.”