Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says Zinedine Zidane has so far been proven right about Gareth Bale.
Bale re-joined Tottenham on loan over the summer window, after being seemingly frozen out by the Frenchman, but has struggled to make an impact in north London.
Spurs began the season as potential title contenders under Jose Mourinho, who has been a long-term admirer of the Welshman, but a winless run of four games has seen their momentum slow in recent weeks.
Bale has started just one Premier League game since his return, and sat out of his side's clash with Leeds United with a calf injury, but his lack of impact in north London hasn't gone unnoticed, either on these shores or in Spain.
Word has it that Real are keen on moving Bale on in order to free up funds for moves for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, and Bale's struggles in a Spurs shirt are seen as a grave threat to those plans.
And, writing in his latest Telegraph column, Carragher believes Bale will need to start performing if Spurs are to stand any chance of rekindling their title hopes, and says Zidane has so far been proved right in his treatment of the Wales international.
"I do not believe Spurs will win the title," he wrote. "They were too negative in recent games against Crystal Palace and Wolves, and that cost them points.
"Jose blamed the players. I don’t buy that. It is how he plays. But they will be closer and more competitive in games against the rest of the top six.
"They need more from Gareth Bale to think beyond a top-four place. Bale has barely figured since his return and is injured again.
"After several years of complaints about unfair treatment from Real Madrid, we are yet to see the evidence that Zinedine Zidane was wrong."
