Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, has said that he is playing through the pain barrier in order to help Tottenham finish in the top four this season. Tottenham are currently battling along with Chelsea and Arsenal to finish in the top four of the Premier league, which will give them the ability to play in the Champions League group stages next season. Tottenham have been in the group stages once in the history of the competition. It is seen as a vital need for the club to keep players like Gareth Bale.
The Welsh winger, who is amongst the six nominated for the PFA player of the year awards, was recently injured in the Europa league encounter against FC Basel. Tottenham were knocked out of the competition in the quarter-final stage, thus leaving them with only the league to concentrate in the remaining two months of the season. He has been having one of the best seasons with Tottenham. Signed from Southampton for around £ 5 million, Bale has scored 23 goals in all competitions for the club.
He has also managed several assists along the way as well. The ankle ligament damage suffered against Basel is causing him problems, but he is playing through the pain according to the player.
“It was touch and go whether I was going to play – but thankfully I got through it okay. It was a bit sore in the first half but I got more confident in the second half. It hurts but it’s just about managing it and carrying on. All three goals were important. The first gave us belief, the second killed them and the third one just sealed it so it was a great comeback. We showed great character and hopefully we can carry that on in the last five games,” said Bale.