There are several transfer sagas raging on this summer, but perhaps none as heated as the one involving Tottenham’s Luka Modric and Chelsea.
No club ever wants to lose a star player, so it is understandable why Spurs have so flatly refused Modric’s transfer request, and the Blue’s offers for their player. But no player is bigger than his club.
The Croat is not the be all and end all of Tottenham’s aspirations, and for this reason alone, Spurs should consider their stance on allowing the want away midfielder to move on.
Damaging remarks
Modric has made several brazen statements this summer that include claims chairman Daniel Levy threatened him. Modric has also claimed that Tottenham broke a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that was struck, when he signed a new contract.
In response, the hierarchy at White Hart Lane have expressed their anger at Modric’s claims, and are considering fining the player two weeks of wages. It is the kind of public feud that every club hopes to avoid each pre-season, as the damage caused to relationships within the club can be fatal to the hopes of the season to come.
Modric is currently on tour in South Africa, and while some players will be training immensely hard, hoping to cement a place in the first team, or make their debut, everybody knows Modric is there against his will.
This isn’t to suggest Modric is not the consummate professional, Modric may well train just as hard as he ever has for Spurs. But the Croatian’s public remarks will kill the team spirit around him, and in football, team spirit can be just as important as talent.
Ready made replacements
Modric is a star footballer, but in Rafael van der Vaart, Spurs already have another brilliant footballer at White Hart Lane. The attacking midfielder missed games through injury last season, and also struggled for fitness due to a lack of a pre-season training.
But Spurs’ fans will be well aware of how good the Dutchman is, because despite his personal battles with injury, van der Vaart still managed to score 13 goals for the club in 28 appearances last term.
The North London club is over-stocked in the centre of midfield, particularly given Champions League football is not on the agenda at White Hart Lane this season.
Modric’s Croatian compatriot, Niko Kranjcar, is another high quality player who has been left to rot on the bench, due to the size of the squad. In the few opportunities Kranjcar was given last season, the player performed magnificently well, scoring winners against both Bolton and Sunderland.
Steven Pienaar made a measly eight starts for Redknapp’s team after joining the club in the January transfer window. With the improving Brazilian Sandro also pushing for a first team place, the loss of Modric is hardly irreplaceable.
Player Swap
In addition to having ready made replacements at White Hart Lane, the club could also consider making a direct swap for a player they actually require.
A host of Chelsea players have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, most tantalising for Spurs would be the possibility of acquiring Didier Drogba or Alex.
Redknapp has openly stated his desire to bring in a new striker after his current options misfired badly last season. The possibility of capturing one of the world’s best in Drogba should be something Spurs consider very seriously, as he could be the difference between a top four finish.
Spurs were also extremely leaky at the back last term, conceding sloppy goals at crucial stages. Brazilian defender Alex would add considerable steel to Tottenham’s back four, as the club try to regain a spot amongst Europe’s elite in the 2012/13 season.
Requesting a player in the deal for Modric also takes the pressure off Tottenham and places the ball firmly in Chelsea’s court. The media scrutiny will then turn to just how badly the Blues actually want Modric, and the Stamford Bridge club could potentially upset one of their own players by forcing a move.
Tottenham need to be the bigger club in this deal, by demonstrating to the public that their own ambitions consist of more than just keeping Modric at White Hart Lane.
Should Tottenham let Luke Modric leave for Chelsea?
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