A summer of speculation has been followed by three months of outstanding individual performances from Luka Modric, within a side that have surpassed all expectations to this point. So have Tottenham now convinced Modric that White Hart Lane is his long term home?
It was no secret; and Spurs fans should remember this; that the Croatian midfielder wanted to leave the North London club in the summer when Chelsea showed their interest in him. The Blues had three bids for the 26-year-old rejected by Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy during the transferwindow, even though Modric claimed he wanted to join the West London club.
The unsettled talented midfielder refused to play in Spurs’ opening game of the season, claiming his head was not in the right place, but Levy stated that Modric was not for sale at any price and told the player to focus on his game at Tottenham. The final bid of £40million from Chelsea would have been a record income for Spurs who did not spend a large amount of money themselves in the summer, another possible reason for Modric’s decision to move on.
After meetings with Levy, Harry Redknapp, Modric and his representatives, it was declared that Modric will stay and help push Spurs to fight for Champions League qualification for next season. Something that looks a real possibility as the club currently sit third in the Premier League, with a game in hand on all of their rivals. It is no coincidence that Modric has been in stunning form, running the midfield with his new partner in crime, Scott Parker, who together make up the best centre midfield in the division currently.
Tottenham are currently on a ten game unbeaten run in the league and will look to continue that with a winnable trip atWest Brom tomorrow. Both Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart are now scoring goals, with the pace of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale causing all sorts of problems for opposition defences with their pace and attacking wing play. Summer recruit Brad Friedel has been protected fantastically by a now fit Ledley King and Younes Kaboul after long term injury has set back Michael Dawson. The whole team are now coming together to create one of the best sides seen at White Hart Lane for many years and surely Modric must be pleased that he was forced to stay.
Many people thought Levy was incorrect when he said that he felt Spurs could be on par Chelsea this season and forced a player to stay against his will, but it appears that he could be right once again. Tottenham are three points clear of fifth place Chelsea, who are stuttering under new boss Andre Villas-Boas and could be on the verge of going out of the Champions League after a defeat to Leverkusen on Wednesday night. Modric would have been a perfect addition to the Blues squad but his stay at White Hart Lane has proven to be the correct decision, with six months of the season remaining, Spurs definitely have the ability to finish above the Stamford Bridge club.
One thing that must be commended is Modric’s attitude. He wanted to leave the club, but Levy stood firm. He felt he had more chance of winning trophies in West London, understandable perhaps, but Tottenham have everything in place to surpass Chelsea and Modric may now be seeing that this season. A new stadium and training ground are on the horizon with European footballer the aim on a regular basis and a possible challenge for the title in the not too distant future.
Can we compare Modric to another player who wanted out of their club this summer? Carlos Tevez.
The Argentinean striker has caused no end of problems in Manchester since he was denied a summer move away from the club and is currently in Argentina refusing to return to England. Tevez ‘rufused’ to play for City according to manager Roberto Mancini and has not played since, whereas Modric has kicked up no such fuss, continuing his fine form for Spurs and looking happy on the field with his current team mates. His agent has not publicly demanded anything and the player is showing no sign of resentment towards the club.
Chelsea may well come back in for Modric in January, but Levy will once again decline their approach, with the possibility of an extended contract at White Hart Lane and Champions League football to entice the Croatian to remain at Spurs.
Written by Brad Pinard for footballFanCast.com
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Please stop writing patrhetic articles about trying to entice him away
You really need to grow up
Really fed up with this Modric bollocks, Daniel Levy will not sell him no matter how many times those F**king idiots from South West London try. They even get their lackies in the press to influence the weak brained among us that they can get who ever they want. The Russian revolution has ground to a halt and they know it.
diito