The summer of discontent amongst our top playmakers is almost over; however some situations may yet drag on. Whilst some have been resolved – in the case of Fabregas, and some have been eased – in the Nasri and Tevez situations, some are surely highlighting the money-driven motives of some players in the case of Luka Modric.
Up until this week, Modric had many sympathisers when not being allowed to join Chelsea, after an apparent gentleman’s agreement between himself and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wasn’t fulfilled, by the Tottenham supremo. Chelsea’s latest offering for the Croatian is said to be around £30 million, but was still rejected out of hand by Levy who is still taking his hard line stance that the player isn’t for sale, and was rumoured to have told Modric that he would ‘rot in the reserves’ for the remainder of his Spurs career if he kicked-up a fuss.
On the face of it, one could possibly commend the Tottenham chairman for taking such a stance. After all, today’s players wield all the power and many fans are sick and tired of players who try to force their way out of a club, when things are not going their way, or when, in most cases, a chance to make more money is on offer at another club. You sensed that Modric was different however, and not ‘that’ type of player. Chelsea are in the course of rebuilding a new, younger squad whilst remaining one of the heavy favourites to win honours this season – and they’re in the Champions League. Spurs on the other hand, have failed to live up to the initial promise of two seasons ago when they qualified for the Champions League, by finishing outside the top four last season, not winning any silverware and failing to add to their squad sufficiently this summer. Who could blame the Croatian playmaker for having his head turned? Even if he’d recently signed a new 6-year contract to stay at White Hart Lane. But there lies the problem…
Money. How much sympathy can one have with a player who signs a brand new, long-term contract at the club only last season, then wants out as soon as an offer is made? Signing for 6-years should show that you’re happy with the clubs current plans, and for the foreseeable future. If unsure, shorten the length of the deal. If you wish to earn more money, or want to be the highest paid player at the club (something else that’s said to be an issue of contention with Modric), then don’t sign the deal. If the so called gentleman’s agreement was made and meant so much, then why not insist on it being part of the new contract? Have it down in black and white. It’s easier to stipulate your desire to leave if ‘club x/y or z’ comes in for you and meets an appropriate value. I suspect it’s a little more difficult to write down you wish to leave if a club is going to offer to pay you treble the amount you’re currently earning. Your motives would be down in black and white – and they wouldn’t be sporting ones.
If there were any lingering doubts that this was more to do with money, then Harry Redknapp surely didn’t help Modric’s defence in all but confirming the root of the problem. The Tottenham manager revealed there had been a heated exchange between the player and club chairman, before stating: ‘If someone offered to treble anyone’s wages, they would find it difficult, wherever they worked. That is the situation the boy is in. If someone offers £150,000 a week rather than £50,000, you are going to have your head turned.’ However, Redknapp then amazingly revealed he thought the whole situation may be calmed by Spurs offering the Croatian yet another deal: ‘The chairman has also said he will look at his contract in a month or two. He told me he would do that’. Surely if this scenario takes place, it confirms the playmakers true motives – would Spurs fans really want to keep the player then?
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Modric also didn’t endear himself to the Spurs faithful any more by refusing to take part in their opening game away to Manchester United: ‘his head wasn’t right’ Redknapp stated, as his reasoning for leaving him out of the squad. This, after both Samir Nasri and Carlos Tevez put their issues to one side and played for their contracted clubs, with no hint of a sulk.
The final word also goes to Harry Redknapp, who hasn’t done Luka any favours. If Spurs fans are still unsure about Modric’s full commitment to the club, here’s what his manager had to say: “I know players who have caused havoc in the dressing room in order to get a move. I have seen it so many times. But he wouldn’t cause anyone a problem. Let’s be truthful. He wanted to go, but he has just got confused with it all.” (Daily Mail)
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