Luka Modric

[KM]

Modric can probably play at the highest level for the next five years or so, I don't think age is an issue with him, yet.

 

[Bape]

I don't think Modric is classified in the same bracket as worldclass for him to break the bank to buy, I mean, no doubt Modric is a wonderful player playing really well for Spurs and has been consistent for three years etc... But still, is he that type of player who'd definitely be up there with Barca's MF ? Modric still isn't on that level yet so I doubt we'd be spending that much money on him...

Barca's MF is the combination of Xavi and Iniesta, I don't think any player/combo in football now can match it. So it's a bit of an unfair comparison really.

 

[antihenry]

Apart from the ridiculous contract he has signed a year earlier and Levi being a stubborn prick, Spurs were fortunate that Modric is a decent guy and a professional, all things considered. If they had someone like Tevez or Balotelli in this situation, keeping them against their will would be detrimental for the club, contract or no contract.

 

[BaldwinLegend]

Modric can probably play at the highest level for the next five years or so, I don't think age is an issue with him, yet.

In what sense? It is if you're talking about moving to United, who have a policy to sign under 27 year old players. Any other club are going to want him sooner rather than later, too.

I think it quite probably is this summer or never, as far as a move to a top club goes. Can't see him going at 28 or 29...

 

[KM]

In what sense? It is if you're talking about moving to United, who have a policy to sign under 27 year old players. Any other club are going to want him sooner rather than later, too.

I think it quite probably is this summer or never, as far as a move to a top club goes. Can't see him going at 28 or 29...

As in that he could easily play to his peak at 32-33, because his style doesn't rely on speed or power. I think we would go for him even if he's 27, since we did tried for Sneijder in the previous window

 

[rcoobc]

As in that he could easily play to his peak at 32-33, because his style doesn't rely on speed or power. I think we would go for him even if he's 27, since we did tried for Sneijder in the previous window

Sneijder is similar to Modric?

 

[KM]

Sneijder is similar to Modric?

My point is that recently United showed interest in signing a 27yr midfielder, why can't that point be applied to Modric?

 

[rcoobc]

My point is that recently United showed interest in signing a 27yr midfielder, why can't that point be applied to Modric?

True, and given the need for a central midfielder, I imagine we are willing to pay slightly over the top for the right player.

The right player is the key phrase though, the wrong player could set the club back in years before we can compete again, and in the bank.

 

[africanspur]

Apart from the ridiculous contract he has signed a year earlier and Levi being a stubborn prick, Spurs were fortunate that Modric is a decent guy and a professional, all things considered. If they had someone like Tevez or Balotelli in this situation, keeping them against their will would be detrimental for the club, contract or no contract.

We're fortunate that a player was actually forced to honour his contract for once (and messing up the beginning of the season) while we committed the crime of preventing him moving across London to play in the exact same league and win the same number of trophies this season, while still depositing 70k a week into his account?

I can't quite believe that football has gotten to the stage where a player who signs a 6 year contract and then next summer tries to force a move is seen as a decent guy, while a chairman who is looking out for his club and refuses to be cowed by the riches of an externally financed club is a prick.

Frankly, even ignoring the advantages of having Modric as a player in the squad, I'm glad to have quashed Modric's and Chelsea's joint moves to get him for a cut price this summer, if only for the message it sent out. Pricks.

 

[BaldwinLegend]

My point is that recently United showed interest in signing a 27yr midfielder, why can't that point be applied to Modric?

Because Modric hasn't played for Real and Inter, and doesn't have any of that proven class at that level and experience?

Why would United pay a crazy sum for a 27 year old who was yet to prove himself to that degree?

I think United were going to make an exception with Sneijder, I doubt they'd do that for Modric - not at the money he's going to cost.

Don't forget United backed out of the Sneijder deal, most likely because they decided it was way too much money for a player of that age.

 

[The Neviller]

We're fortunate that a player was actually forced to honour his contract for once (and messing up the beginning of the season) while we committed the crime of preventing him moving across London to play in the exact same league and win the same number of trophies this season, while still depositing 70k a week into his account?

I can't quite believe that football has gotten to the stage where a player who signs a 6 year contract and then next summer tries to force a move is seen as a decent guy, while a chairman who is looking out for his club and refuses to be cowed by the riches of an externally financed club is a prick.

Frankly, even ignoring the advantages of having Modric as a player in the squad, I'm glad to have quashed Modric's and Chelsea's joint moves to get him for a cut price this summer, if only for the message it sent out. Pricks.

As I said further back in the thread, I respect Levy for his stance in the summer, he called it right and was well within his rights to stand up against the player power and make Modric stay where he agreed to stay for 6 more years. Thing is though, how many summers can he continue that stance for? IF, and it's a big if, Modric wants out again this year, can he stop him again or does he take the cash? I think he'd take the cash.

 

[peterstorey]

We're fortunate that a player was actually forced to honour his contract for once (and messing up the beginning of the season) while we committed the crime of preventing him moving across London to play in the exact same league and win the same number of trophies this season, while still depositing 70k a week into his account?

I have to remind you spur that Chelsea fans have difficulty with concepts like honour, contract (unless it's a bullet in the head type), and crime.

 

[africanspur]

I don't know. I wanted Levy to stand up last summer, partly because I, Spurs fans in general and Levy were fed up of players shitting on us and clubs with more more money coming in and simply bullying us into selling, partly because we had to reverse the trend of Berbatov, Carrick and Keane. And partly because real life isn't actually like football manager, where you sell your best player for 30 million, buy 3 wonderkids from Albania, Colombia and DR Congo and then watch them become world beaters and go on to challenge the team you sold the original player to.

In reality, you sell the player. Buy a very much inferior version. Get worse. Sell your other good players because of your slide down the table. Replace them with inferior versions. Occasionally strike lucky and then end up having to sell that player to another better team. Become Aston Villa.

All that said, I'm torn when I see him play. At once, I feel both happy, at having crushed him and Chelsea (for a season at least) and angry, for this player so flagrantly displaying his disloyalty while still wearing the lilywhite of Tottenham. If we're not in the CL next season, he'll go imo. If we are and especially if we finish 3rd, its a bit of a dilemma. I think if he really wanted to, Levy could keep him either way, Modric would still have 4 years left on his contract and few players in world football are as twat like as Tevez when attempting to force a transfer.


What Levy did last summer is commendable. But no player is bigger than the shirt. We've made our point. Personally, I would sell him next summer, on our own terms. 40 million cash, abroad. I couldn't care less about Modric's desire to stay in London or any liking he may take to Manchester in the next few months. He'll enjoy Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Munich etc just as much.

But I can't pretend to speak for all spurs fans, we're pretty divided on this. Some of us want to continue making a stand, especially if we get back into the CL and keep all our best players. Some are sick of him and want him gone asap, feeling that him being here is a bit of a slap in the face.

 

[africanspur]

I have to remind you spur that Chelsea fans have difficulty with concepts like honour, contract (unless it's a bullet in the head type), and crime.

Clearly! I remember the same kind of comments as they continued to increase their offers by 2 million increments from the risible original bid of 20 million, for a player who was categorically not for sale.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Apart from the ridiculous contract he has signed a year earlier and Levi being a stubborn prick ....

Calling Levy a stubborn prick for refusing to sell Modric just makes you sound bitter tbh. Do you imagine that Chelski have some kind of divine, sugar-daddy right?

It'd be more accurate to talk about the arrogance of Chelski in pursuing a player who had recently signed a 6 year contract (a player, moreover, who was key to the whole Spurs team).

Chelski were stupid enough to think they could just walk in, bounce Levy and take Modric.

And then you compounded that stupidity by (a) initially offering a derisory sum; and then (b) continuing to waste their summer by chasing Modric even after Levy had made it crystal clear that he wouldn't be sold.

And so you ended up with what you so richly deserved: egg on your face and a last-minute panic buy.

 

[BaldwinLegend]

Calling Levy a stubborn prick for refusing to sell Modric just makes you sound bitter tbh. Do you imagine that Chelski have some kind of divine, sugar-daddy right?

It'd be more accurate to talk about the arrogance of Chelski in pursuing a player who had recently signed a 6 year contract (a player, moreover, who was key to the whole Spurs team).

Chelski were stupid enough to think they could just walk in, bounce Levy and take Modric.

And then you compounded that stupidity by (a) initially offering a derisory sum; and then (b) continuing to waste their summer by chasing Modric even after Levy had made it crystal clear that he wouldn't be sold.

And so you ended up with what you so richly deserved: egg on your face and a last-minute panic buy.

What about Modric's claim he has a 'gentleman's agreement' with Levy he can move to a bigger club?

Wasn't Chelsea's opening bid 20m? Is that really a 'derisory' sum these days?

 

[GlastonSpur]

What about Modric's claim he has a 'gentleman's agreement' with Levy he can move to a bigger club?

Wasn't Chelsea's opening bid 20m? Is that really a 'derisory' sum these days?

I've no idea about the alleged 'gentleman's agreement' but I'm sceptical that it existed: you don't sign a 6 year contract and then expect to be let go 1 year later.

Yes, 20m for Modric was derisory considering his talent and all the surrounding circumstances.

 

[BaldwinLegend]

I've no idea about the alleged 'gentleman's agreement' but I'm sceptical that it existed: you don't sign a 6 year contract and then expect to be let go 1 year later.

Yes, 20m for Modric was derisory considering his talent and all the surrounding circumstances.

20m is never 'derisory' and it's a fair opening bid for a player who clearly wanted out. I reckon he'll go next summer and he'll go for less than 40m - if he really wants out he'll force your hand.

 

[africanspur]

You don't think 20 million, for a player we bought for 16.5 million and has since proved himself one of the best midfielders in the league and with 5 years left on his contract, is a derisory offer? When that same summer, Jones, Young (with one year left on his contract), Downing and Henderson had all gone for similar sums? When Suarez and Bent went for 24 million just a few months earlier?

I don't believe we or Modric would sign a 6 year contract with a 'gentlemen's agreement', the whole thing smacked of a collaboration between Modric and Chelsea to get him on the cheap. Put in a shit offer, Modric comes in saying he wants to move, waffling about this supposed gentlemen's agreement but insisting that he wants to stay in London, thus removing all other bidders from the transfer. Essentially, they thought they could pull a Barcelona and do to us what they did to Fabregas. Unfortunately for them, Chelsea ain't Barcelona and Modric ain't Fabregas. And considering Levy had sold Berbatov, Carrick and Keane for 70 million, we're not exactly the club to come to when looking for bargains.

And even if this gentlemen's agreement was real, in Modric's own words, it had to be an offer that we found acceptable before we would sit down and consider it. Chelsea offered us 20 million. We sat down. Considered, then rejected it. Same as we did for the rest of their shit offers.

 

[africanspur]

20m is never 'derisory' and it's a fair opening bid for a player who clearly wanted out. I reckon he'll go next summer and he'll go for less than 40m - if he really wants out he'll force your hand.

Clearly a far better player but does that apply to Ronaldo as well? According to you, 20 million is never derisiory and is fair for a player that clearly wants out. What would your reaction to a 20 million opening offer from Real been?

He may go but if he does, it won't be for much less than 40 million, it at all. You're repeating the exact same things people were saying last summer, except now he only has 4! years left on his contract rather than 5 and we may well be playing CL football next season.

 

[antihenry]

Calling Levy a stubborn prick for refusing to sell Modric just makes you sound bitter tbh. Do you imagine that Chelski have some kind of divine, sugar-daddy right?

It'd be more accurate to talk about the arrogance of Chelski in pursuing a player who had recently signed a 6 year contract (a player, moreover, who was key to the whole Spurs team).

Chelski were stupid enough to think they could just walk in, bounce Levy and take Modric.

And then you compounded that stupidity by (a) initially offering a derisory sum; and then (b) continuing to waste their summer by chasing Modric even after Levy had made it crystal clear that he wouldn't be sold.

And so you ended up with what you so richly deserved: egg on your face and a last-minute panic buy.

I'm not bitter about Modric staying put. He is a Tottenham player under contract and if the club doesn't want to sell, so be it. I have menttioned it before on this very forum. It was his own doing to sign a long term contract, so there's no one else to blame.

And what's wrong with Chelsea actions? We made a couple of bids, they were turned down, end of story. If anything, it's your player's desire to leave the club for Chelsea and going public with those comments is what stirred the shit. In the end, it was much more about Spurs fans dreading Modric's exit rather than CFC fans hoping for his arrival.

And spare me your holier than thou attitude, Spurs fans. Your manager is a crook and the worst culprit when it comes to tapping up players. The contracts nowadays aren't worth the paper they're written on and big name players force the issue whenever they need to. The difference with Modric is that he has a retard for an agent and is too much of a nice guy to turn his back on the club.

 

[antihenry]

I've no idea about the alleged 'gentleman's agreement' but I'm sceptical that it existed: you don't sign a 6 year contract and then expect to be let go 1 year later.

Yes, 20m for Modric was derisory considering his talent and all the surrounding circumstances.

The length of a contract is there to protect the club in case the player wishes to leave and a suitable bid arrives. A player with less years left on his contract would fetch less of a fee.

 

[GlastonSpur]

20m is never 'derisory' and it's a fair opening bid for a player who clearly wanted out. I reckon he'll go next summer and he'll go for less than 40m - if he really wants out he'll force your hand.

20m is just 3.5m more than Spurs paid for him ... before he became Prem-proven and fully showed that he was one of the best CMs in the world.

It's beyond stupid to make such an offer for such a player, especially when he has 5 years left on his contract.

Chelsea paid 50m for Torres and yet start the bidding for Modric at 20m? It only served to make Levy even more determined to feck them right off.

As for "he'll go for less than 40m - if he really wants out he'll force your hand" .... I think I've heard this somewhere before, but can't quite put my finger on where and when.

 

[AlwaysRedwood]

Apart from the ridiculous contract he has signed a year earlier and Levi being a stubborn prick, Spurs were fortunate that Modric is a decent guy and a professional, all things considered. If they had someone like Tevez or Balotelli in this situation, keeping them against their will would be detrimental for the club, contract or no contract.

Soon you'll be calling him a slave.

 

[antihenry]

So when Harry claims he heard a bid of 40m had been turned down, but doesn't know if it's true or not, you believe it's true.

When Modric claims he had a gentleman's agreement with Levi, you don't believe it.

 

[AlwaysRedwood]

So when Harry claims he heard a bid of 40m had been turned down, but doesn't know if it's true or not, you believe it's true.

When Modric claims he had a gentleman's agreement with Levi, you don't believe it.

Who cares? What idiot makes a gentleman's agreement when signing a 6 year contract?

Seriously, stupidest thing I've ever heard, especially in this day of agent power.

 

[GlastonSpur]

I'm not bitter about Modric staying put. He is a Tottenham player under contract and if the club doesn't want to sell, so be it. ...

Then why call Levy a stubborn prick for refusing to sell?

It sounds to me as if you think he should have sold and is an idiot for not letting a rival for top 4 have our most key player.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

Barca's MF is the combination of Xavi and Iniesta, I don't think any player/combo in football now can match it. So it's a bit of an unfair comparison really.

But in reality, aren't they the the current world class players ?

If he were to go for a worldclass fee, he should have exceptional talent to compare with Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets.

Has Modric had a 42 goal streak ? Did he win the wold cup with Croatia etc... Like I said I love him as a player but he is still one step below for us to be really splashing up 50m for him ( Premium )...

I don't mind a 27yr old Xavi but I can't see why we should be paying premium while we still have Cleverly/Ando and even Morrison/Pogba to look out for.

So if I were SAF, I would be very happy with the current squad, maybe a long term cover for Fletch would only be my concern and if I were to invest on a player that can replace Fletch I'd still go with the M'Vila's Banega's that most of the caftards have been monitoring.

 

[africanspur]

So when Harry claims he heard a bid of 40m had been turned down, but doesn't know if it's true or not, you believe it's true.

When Modric claims he had a gentleman's agreement with Levi, you don't believe it.

I don't see why Redknapp would lie about it tbh.

Modric had quite a bit to gain by lying. But more importantly, as Alwaysredwood said, who gives a feck, when he has signed a 6 year contract? And Modric's version of this agreement centred on us finding the agreement acceptable, which clearly 20 million, then 22, then 24, was not.

 

[antihenry]

Then why call Levy a stubborn prick for refusing to sell?

It sounds to me as if you think he should have sold and is an idiot for not letting a rival for top 4 have our most key player.

Because he is a stubborn prick, it's just my opinion of him as a person.

Tottenham won't win the title or even become a consistent top four club unless they're willing to break their wage system to keep the key players they already got and break the bank for a few more top quality signings. Unless this happens, you'll be going through the same thing every summer, with other top clubs trying for your best players.


I still think it's quite possible that Modric will leave in the summer, if not to Chelsea, then to another club,possibly United. I read his recent interview and he doesn't very confident about his future with Spurs.

Tottenham's Luka Modric admits a move to Chelsea 'is possible' | Football | The Guardian

By the way the article says he was offered contract extension in September which he's yet to sign. You have got to appreciate Levi's sense of humor, after everything that happened, he wants Modric tied up for even longer term, probably until he's 40, lol.

 

[BaldwinLegend]

20m is just 3.5m more than Spurs paid for him ... before he became Prem-proven and fully showed that he was one of the best CMs in the world.

It's beyond stupid to make such an offer for such a player, especially when he has 5 years left on his contract.

Chelsea paid 50m for Torres and yet start the bidding for Modric at 20m? It only served to make Levy even more determined to feck them right off.

As for "he'll go for less than 40m - if he really wants out he'll force your hand" .... I think I've heard this somewhere before, but can't quite put my finger on where and when.

Are you talking about Cristiano Ronaldo? I don't see the comparison really - Ronaldo is one of the players of his generation, was the FIFA WPOTY at the time, had won CL's, PL's and God knows what else. Of course there's a limit to what that actually means but it needs to be pointed out when Spurs fans start making that comparison. Modric is nowhere near that level.

Surely Samir Nasri going to City last summer for 25m is a better comparison?

With all your bravado on here I'll laugh if Redknapp goes next summer, Modric gets the hump, Levy prices him out of a move and you get left with a seriously unhappy player. Not an entirely unlikely scenario, surely?

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

Are you talking about Cristiano Ronaldo? I don't see the comparison really - Ronaldo is one of the players of his generation, was the FIFA WPOTY at the time, had won CL's, PL's and God knows what else. Of course there's a limit to what that actually means but it needs to be pointed out when Spurs fans start making that comparison. Modric is nowhere near that level.

Surely Samir Nasri going to City last summer for 25m is a better comparison?

With all your bravado on here I'll laugh if Redknapp goes next summer, Modric gets the hump, Levy prices him out of a move and you get left with a seriously unhappy player. Not an entirely unlikely scenario, surely?

I think its unfair to compare Modric to Nasri as Nasri had only a year left in his contract while Modric has just signed a whopping 6 year deal last summer... Big difference !

 

[BaldwinLegend]

I think its unfair to compare Modric to Nasri as Nasri had only a year left in his contract while Modric has just signed a whopping 6 year deal last summer... Big difference !

OK !

The whole thing doesn't make sense to me - Modric must have the same ambitions as, say, Berbatov, and must want to play eventually for a bigger club than Spurs. He even agitated for a move last summer. So why would he sign a 6 year contract there? And then the whole 'gentleman's agreement' thing. Really bizarre, to say the least...

When I saw him playing for Spurs at the start of the season he really looked like he'd rather be somewhere else - Harry's clearly got him to buckle down and play for the club but without Harry there, I wonder what would have happened this season? And next?

 

[africanspur]

Are you talking about Cristiano Ronaldo? I don't see the comparison really - Ronaldo is one of the players of his generation, was the FIFA WPOTY at the time, had won CL's, PL's and God knows what else. Of course there's a limit to what that actually means but it needs to be pointed out when Spurs fans start making that comparison. Modric is nowhere near that level.

Surely Samir Nasri going to City last summer for 25m is a better comparison?

With all your bravado on here I'll laugh if Redknapp goes next summer, Modric gets the hump, Levy prices him out of a move and you get left with a seriously unhappy player. Not an entirely unlikely scenario, surely?

Is that directed at me? I've already said that Ronaldo is obviously a unique player but it was your own assertion that '20 million is never derisory'. I assume that means for players like Ronaldo and Messi as well then?

He had one year left on his contract. Modric had...5.

His bravado? I don't really see that much bravado, in fact, all he's done in this thread is stick to his belief that Modric won't be sold and that Tottenham aren't the shittest team in the world, often in the face of quite a bit of abuse from the fans here.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Luca toniiiiii.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Are you talking about Cristiano Ronaldo? I don't see the comparison really - Ronaldo is one of the players of his generation, was the FIFA WPOTY at the time, had won CL's, PL's and God knows what else. Of course there's a limit to what that actually means but it needs to be pointed out when Spurs fans start making that comparison. Modric is nowhere near that level.

Surely Samir Nasri going to City last summer for 25m is a better comparison?

With all your bravado on here I'll laugh if Redknapp goes next summer, Modric gets the hump, Levy prices him out of a move and you get left with a seriously unhappy player. Not an entirely unlikely scenario, surely?

I didn't mention Ronaldo. I said Chelski paid 50m for Torres, then had the gall to open their bidding for Modric at 20m. Is it any wonder that Levy told them where to stuff it?

As for "Not an entirely unlikely scenario, surely?", how about something else that is not an entirely unlikely scenario:

Spurs finish in the top 4, Levy invests 30m net in improving the squad further next summer, Redknapp decides he'd like another crack at the CL (except this time with an even better squad), Modric decides that 100k per week and another chance to play in the CL is a lot better than a slap in the face with a wet fish .

 

[BaldwinLegend]

Is that directed at me?

No.

 

[Team Brian GB]

I didn't mention Ronaldo. I said Chelski paid 50m for Torres, then had the gall to open their bidding for Modric at 20m. Is it any wonder that Levy told them where to stuff it?

How are you relating what we paid for one player and where we began negotiating from for another? You do realise that we didn't say '£50 million, take it or leave it' to Liverpool right?

Chelsea is not run by Peter Ridsdale.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

OK !

The whole thing doesn't make sense to me - Modric must have the same ambitions as, say, Berbatov, and must want to play eventually for a bigger club than Spurs. He even agitated for a move last summer. So why would he sign a 6 year contract there? And then the whole 'gentleman's agreement' thing. Really bizarre, to say the least...

When I saw him playing for Spurs at the start of the season he really looked like he'd rather be somewhere else - Harry's clearly got him to buckle down and play for the club but without Harry there, I wonder what would have happened this season? And next?

I don't think the issue is really about the player, its about Spurs. Modric wanted a move in summer ? Why not, he's 26, Spurs only got to the UEFA and they didn't invest or bring in new players and didn't look like a worthy contender for the title... Modric had a couple of years left in his contract, he was very consistent and played some great football... Mr. Levi saw how Torres was sold for like 50m.. Oh the market price has inflated so Modric should be worth 45m minimal...

Chelsea wanted a bargain as they just spent 50m of Torre so the enquire to Spurs for 20m-25m-30m... Spurs said no as they have every right to do so as they have a contract with Modric... Chelsea give up, Modric gets a new contract voila... Spurs play nicely after a bad start to the season and by all means they are very still in the title race with only 7 points behind with a game in hand...

So what next ? Its all up to how Spurs perform till the end of the season... Thats all I would assume.

 

[peterstorey]

The whole thing doesn't make sense to me - Modric must have the same ambitions as, say, Berbatov, and must want to play eventually for a bigger club than Spurs. He even agitated for a move last summer. So why would he sign a 6 year contract there? And then the whole 'gentleman's agreement' thing. Really bizarre, to say the least...

Well it's pretty obvious he wanted the £1M a year pay rise he was going to get and probably thought he could walk away when the time came. Levy's not stupid he probably said that he would 'look at any offers from a bigger club' without committing himself to anything. Modric heard what he wanted to hear.