Villas-Boas criticises wantaway Modric

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has criticised midfielder Luka Modric for trying to force a transfer away from White Hart Lane.

The Croatian tried to leave the north London club for Chelsea last year, and is now looking to move to Spanish champions Real Madrid.

He has reportedly failed to travel with Spurs for their pre-season tour of the United States, which has drawn the ire of Portuguese coach Villas-Boas.

Speaking to AS, Villas-Boas is reported as saying: “I think Modric is wrong. This will go against him.

“He has worsened the situation with what he’s doing and now the chairman is very angry.

“This is also not a good time for Daniel Levy, who is in the USA at the moment, because his wife is ill.”

Villas-Boas conceded the loss of Modric would be a major blow for Spurs, who play three games in the space of a week, including Liverpool in Baltimore.

“He’s good, very good. I tried to sign him last summer for Chelsea,” Villas-Boas said.

“He will be a big loss. He’s a player who can make the difference, who gives a lot of clarity to the play when the team needs it and who can play in several positions.”

Modric has been fined 80,000 pounds by Tottenham for refusing to train with the team.

Spurs will face MLS champions LA Galaxy in the first match of their US tour on Tuesday.