This is absolutely key - he is clearly very talented but he is a complete luxury player, I never thought we could get a more frustrating player than Lamela, but we have somehow succeeded in doing just that.
I do wonder why when a genuine world class talent like Bale cannot get in the team because he doesn't work hard enough, how has Ndombele been a fixture in the team? I do realise that the other midfield options are not particularly palatable, but he really has had about the same number of good games, where he has been a real influence about as often as Bale has and that's in a lot more matches.
I don't think that we've got enough quality in other positions, nor an established style of play, to carry either against decent teams. They've not been integrated into a system, they're just bodies in shirts to fit in around Sonny and Harry Kane.
I didn't want Bale and knowing what we know now, I wouldn't have signed Ndombele. However, both can be much more effective than they are right now...because we're not a team in any cohesive sense or sense at all, really. Against Everton, I could see Ndombele lacking any options when he received the ball. So, he tried too many tricks and Everton just took the ball off him. If you press this team, the players are lost. It's disgusting that a coach we pay £15m a season puts out teams that are so inept.
Bale gets on the pitch when Mourinho can't think of anything else less ridiculous. Now, nobody looks good, apart from Kane and maybe, Rodon. Even players who started the season promisingly, like PEH and Reguillon, look dreadful now. Mourinho has ground them down with his lack of coaching, blame game and anti-football.
If we built around Ndombele....but that would take someone with a vision or some real funds, so it's unlikely to happen with us....maybe PSG would be interested?
As for Bale, he's set on playing in the WC next summer above anything. He's no interest in club football, having won the lot at Real, so he can train for that on his own dollar, as far as I'm concerned. We've got him fit for the Euro's. Sponsoring his training, to the tune of £250k per week, shouldn't happen for a second season.