Pundit Exclusive: I’m told Tottenham superstar won’t start against any top-5 teams | OneFootball

Tottenham superstar Gareth Bale will not start any of their clashes against top-five Premier League teams this season, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, the former England and Aston Villa striker claimed the Wales international’s return to north London will be deemed a failure if he does not score more goals.

The 31-year-old has been left on the bench in Spurs’ last two Premier League games with Jose Mourinho preferring Steven Bergwijn on the left of his front three.

His only Premier League start this term came against West Brom and Agbonlahor has claimed he will only start against weaker opposition.

Asked by Football Insider why Bale was not being selected, Agbonlahor said: “I think with Spurs, Jose Mourinho will play different styles and different formations to get results and that’s a sign of a team fighting for the title.

“He could have easily played Gareth Bale and played Dele Alli or Giovani Le Celso from the start and been more open.

“He’s very clever, he doesn’t mind keeping stars out of the team if he gets the results that he wants.

“I’m sure Gareth Bale isn’t very happy with not coming on against Chelsea but I think Jose Mourinho is picking the best players to get the best result on the day.

“When it’s an easier game on paper, I’m sure Gareth Bale starts.

“Bale, knowing the player he is and from what I’m told, will be quite frustrated.

“It looks to me that every time Spurs are playing a top-five team, he’s not going to play.

“Will he even play him against Arsenal? Will he stay with Bergwijn because he’s better defensively?

“It’ll be very frustrating for Bale because he knows he’ll be getting judged on his goals at the end of the season and if he’s not got many they’re going to call it a bad signing.”

In other Tottenham news, Paul Robinson has been left raving over a “surprise” player he thought was a goner.