Modric is believed to have been after assurances that Spurs were going to bolster their squad in time for the new campaign, and Tottenham’s opening fixtures against both Manchester United and Manchester City will have almost certainly left the Croatian feeling even less optimistic about the season ahead. Redknapp left Modric out of the squad that traveled to Old Trafford, and withdrew him after just an hour in to their 5-1 drumming at home to City. Prior to the United game, the Spurs boss claimed that Modric’s head was ‘not right’ to play, but has insisted the international break will provide the appropriate time needed to get it right. For Tottenham’s sake, they look as though they might need him to.
Keeping a player at a club against his wishes is always bound to have consequences, and questions will be raised over the commitment of Luka Modric to the club should his performances on the pitch fall short of last season’s. While Spurs will be relying heavily on the likes of Bale, Van der Vaart and Adebayor to push for a top-four finish, Modric will be key to any success in the heart of their midfield.
If, and it’s a big if, Modric is able to replicate the kind of form and passion that he showed at White Hart Lane for much of last season then the Spurs fans are likely to forgive and forget this whole saga for good. However, should the Croatian display a lack of desire or commitment to the club, as the likes of Torres, Fabregas, and others have done so in the past, then both Redknapp and the Tottenhamfaithful will have major cause for concern.
Tottenham’s failure to bring in any substantial talent may prove costly, regardless of Modric’s efforts. While the likes of United, City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have spent heavily throughout the summer, the Spurs board were unable to fund any big-money signings, or bring in any new attacking options on a permanent basis. While the £40m offered by Chelsea would have left little time to find a replacement for Modric, the funding would have been there, and we all know by now that money talks in football.
Keeping Modric at White Hart Lane was a bold and brave move by both Levy and Redknapp, and if the Croatian can get his head ‘right’ sooner rather than later then it could prove to be one of the best decisions they have made at the club. If, on the other hand, we see a half-hearted or disinterested Luka Modric in the coming weeks then we could well see a return of this transfer saga come January. An offer of £40m however, is perhaps less likely to return.
Written by Thomas Kenny for FootballFancast.com. How influential will Modric be this season? Were Spurs right to hold on to him? Let me know your thoughts either below or @sixthofficial on Twitter!
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