Reports claimed Spurs would definitely not extend the stay of the Real Madrid loanee; Mourinho: "There was not even a second of discussion about that"; watch Sheffield United vs Tottenham on Super Sunday live from 1pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 2pm
Friday 15 January 2021 22:45, UK
Jose Mourinho says there has not been any discussion about loanee Gareth Bale's future at Tottenham.
Bale is on a season-long loan from Real Madrid with an option for a second year, but has yet to make a major impact.
Reports emerged on Friday suggesting Spurs already decided they will not look to keep Bale next season.
But when the matter was put to Spurs head coach Mourinho, he said: "There was not even a second of discussion about that.
"Gareth is a player on loan until the end of the season. We are speaking about Gareth himself, Tottenham, Real Madrid.
"But, I promise you, not one second of discussion."
Hampered by illness and injury, Bale has played just 45 minutes in the Premier League since November 8, although he has featured more regularly in the Europa League.
Mourinho added: "He arrived injured and was injured I believe for the first month.
"The Europa League matches were helping him to get his condition.
"Europa League group phase is a different level than the Premier League - the [Europa League] knockout is a different story, but the group phase is a different intensity.
"The Premier League he didn't play many minutes, [then] another small injury at Stoke [in the Carabao Cup] where he was having a good first half.
"[It's] not an easy process. Everybody knew that in the past couple of seasons in Madrid, they were not easy for him, so let's go step by step and try to get the best out of him."
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth told The Transfer Show:
"There was such great optimism when Gareth Bale arrived at Tottenham, greeted by lots of fans. There was huge fanfare, huge optimism - Gareth Bale is back home, they were calling it.
"But it hasn't worked out as Tottenham fans would have envisaged, how Jose Mourinho would have envisaged, or Bale. He's started one Premier League game this season, scored one goal in the Premier League, EFL Cup and Europa League. I don't think that was the return that Tottenham fans were expecting.
"There have been reports today that Tottenham may have an option to extend this one-season loan into another one-season loan. We haven't been given official confirmation by either club on that, but what we do know is that Bale's agent at the time, Jonathan Barnett, didn't rule out an extended stay at Tottenham.
"The way it is going at the moment, unless there is a huge change in his appearances, his starts and the number of opportunities he's going to get under Mourinho, you have to ask whether Tottenham would still consider keeping Bale on after his loan expires at the end of the season? As it stands, Mourinho isn't using him as much as he would have foreseen."
Mourinho says Premier League teams should try to follow the protocols regarding goal-scoring celebrations.
As the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, referees have been told to remind players of the need to maintain social distancing as much as possible during games, and when celebrating goals.
Some managers have said the rules will be difficult to follow and, while he agrees with that, Mourinho thinks the effort is worthwhile.
"It is what we are asked for and we have to try," he said.
"Probably the best way is for the goal scorer, if he wants to celebrate in a crazy way, let him do it alone.
"Before, we always tell players, celebrate as a team - don't forget the guy that assists, don't forget the guys that are fighting hard behind you, celebrate with everyone.
"But now, maybe it is time to say, celebrate alone, and let the other guys go to you in a calm way.
"I know that is difficult.
"I know our players did it very, very well [against Fulham] but it is difficult to be critical of others that don't do it.
"We [PL clubs] can help each other educate all the players about not celebrating - let's try altogether."
