Can anyone be that stupid today - to sign a contract that long with only a possible verbal agreement as a get out? Insane...
Luka Modric
- Thread starter Brwned
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
The Croats on the Spurs boards, whether they were fans before the Croatian invasion, or only joined the boards (and maybe club) with their purchase agree almost unanimously on two issues. Modric is mind-numbingly stupid and very very easily influenced by his agent especially, who has been with him for a long time.
And his agent is a very very shady character as well. But clearly on this issue, both were outsmarted by Levy.
And his agent is a very very shady character as well. But clearly on this issue, both were outsmarted by Levy.
Did you open the bidding for Torres at (say) 25m? I very much doubt it.
To begin by offering Spurs 30m less for Modric than you paid for Torres was a complete joke and typified Chelski's cack-handed, arrogant approach to the whole saga. It's implied message was "we will get Modric and we won't even have to try too hard to do it."
This approach was made even worse by further dribs and drabs offers ... as if another 2m or 4m extra was going to cut it. It was only when the panic set in did Chelski eventually treat with their bids deal in any semi-serious way and offer 40m, but that was never going to be anywhere near enough to persuade Levy to break his word .... and in any case it was far, far too late.
All this shows is how difficult it is for the big-ish clubs to make that final step to the biggest stage.
You have a decently run club in spurs trying to work their way up the ladder without financial doping and at the final hurdle a team like chelsea, ironically one that bought its way into being a "big" club, tries to bully spurs into selling their star player.
Anybody that talks about "working your way up to be a top club" should look at this situation for what happens, see Aston villa for exhibit B.
You have a decently run club in spurs trying to work their way up the ladder without financial doping and at the final hurdle a team like chelsea, ironically one that bought its way into being a "big" club, tries to bully spurs into selling their star player.
Anybody that talks about "working your way up to be a top club" should look at this situation for what happens, see Aston villa for exhibit B.
Now that Chelsea is 10p behind Tottenham and risk missing out on the CL, is he still keen on this move???
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17885776
Don't think it's been posted and don't want to start mass hysteria of the muppet style but...
Full Artical:
So, do we think there's any chance of United being in for him?
EDIT: Sorry Mods, just noticed something similar is being discussed in the Modric to Chelsea thread in the foot forum - my bad probably could have stuck it in there!
Don't think it's been posted and don't want to start mass hysteria of the muppet style but...
Full Artical:
Luka Modric may leave Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that playmaker Luka Modric may leave White Hart Lane in the summer.
The news comes a day after winger Gareth Bale, 22, told Football Focus he could leave if Spurs do not qualify for the Champions League.
"Last summer it was vital that we kept hold of Luka," said Redknapp. "I would be lying if I said I was sure that he would stay [this summer].
"You would like to think Luka would still be here, but you never know."
Much is likely to rest on whether or not Tottenham are playing in Europe's elite club competition next season.
"Certainly I wouldn't see Gareth Bale wanting to leave here," Redknapp commented.
"At the moment he is happy here, a big fish here. He is still learning the game, a young boy, and this is where he needs to be.
"Luka, it's different with him. I don't know what he would do."
Modric, 26, expressed his desire to leave Tottenham in 2011 but the club rejected a £40m offer from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
The Croatian then played a key role in Spurs spending much of the season in contention for the Premier League title.
But Redknapp's men have since fallen to fifth with just three wins from 14 games ahead of Sunday's meeting with Blackburn.
They sit three points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand and seven behind third-placed Arsenal with two in hand.
But if sixth-placed Chelsea win the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, only three other Premier League teams can qualify for next season's competition.
"I think that [the rule] is unfair," Redknapp added.
"You look at the teams that some other countries have in it and we have a team in this country that might finish fourth and are in the final. That shows you the strength of our league.
"I think the rule should be whoever finishes in the top four should get a Champions League place.
"I don't see any reason why there can't be five English teams in it. I don't know whether they will change it, though. You know what it's like with people changing rules."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that playmaker Luka Modric may leave White Hart Lane in the summer.
The news comes a day after winger Gareth Bale, 22, told Football Focus he could leave if Spurs do not qualify for the Champions League.
"Last summer it was vital that we kept hold of Luka," said Redknapp. "I would be lying if I said I was sure that he would stay [this summer].
"You would like to think Luka would still be here, but you never know."
Much is likely to rest on whether or not Tottenham are playing in Europe's elite club competition next season.
"Certainly I wouldn't see Gareth Bale wanting to leave here," Redknapp commented.
"At the moment he is happy here, a big fish here. He is still learning the game, a young boy, and this is where he needs to be.
"Luka, it's different with him. I don't know what he would do."
Modric, 26, expressed his desire to leave Tottenham in 2011 but the club rejected a £40m offer from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
The Croatian then played a key role in Spurs spending much of the season in contention for the Premier League title.
But Redknapp's men have since fallen to fifth with just three wins from 14 games ahead of Sunday's meeting with Blackburn.
They sit three points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand and seven behind third-placed Arsenal with two in hand.
But if sixth-placed Chelsea win the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, only three other Premier League teams can qualify for next season's competition.
"I think that [the rule] is unfair," Redknapp added.
"You look at the teams that some other countries have in it and we have a team in this country that might finish fourth and are in the final. That shows you the strength of our league.
"I think the rule should be whoever finishes in the top four should get a Champions League place.
"I don't see any reason why there can't be five English teams in it. I don't know whether they will change it, though. You know what it's like with people changing rules."
So, do we think there's any chance of United being in for him?
EDIT: Sorry Mods, just noticed something similar is being discussed in the Modric to Chelsea thread in the foot forum - my bad probably could have stuck it in there!
It all depends on Chelsea right now - they're the most likely team to finish in top 4 this season in front of Spurs and even if they don't they might just take their CL spot by winning the trophy. Funnily, I think Chelsea will be the ones to take advantage if they qualify at the expense of Tottenham and will eventually land Modric.
Too expensive isn't he. 40m is far too much for the lad when we have other areas to address as well.
Good signing for the renties.
I like Modric as a footballer, but I am starting to think he is slightly overrated. In the sense that I think any team could do better than Modric if they were looking to spend 40million.
He is a great player but I think there are a cluster of central midfielders that do what he does and more.
He is a great player but I think there are a cluster of central midfielders that do what he does and more.
I think he downed tools for Spurs a couple of months ago.
That's what they think as well. Looked on a couple of forums and the general consensus would be that if somebody came in with £30m they wouldn't mind if he was sold.
Seems a bit of a dick. Bale too.
Shame for Spurs considering what they've done for both players.
Shame for Spurs considering what they've done for both players.
They've just signed Marin, don't think RDM wants Modric as much as the previous guy
I suspect they made an actual agreement this time, rather than a gentleman's agreement re him being allowed to leave if they failed to reach the CL.
If they get an offer of £30m for him, then they should jump at it and accept it right away.
He's a good player, but there's a reason why Spurs have often been overrun and comfortably beaten by quite a few of the top sides. It's because when Modric is put against a midfield that will either put him under a lot of pressure, or one with superior players altogether in it, he's quite easily nullified and doesn't have the same impact because -shock horror- he's not actually anywhere near as good as people say he is.
Good player against the small teams, but he can look a lot better than he really is. He's been exposed many a time against the bigger teams, and like Bale, Tottenham should jump at an offer of £30+ if they can get it.
He's a good player, but there's a reason why Spurs have often been overrun and comfortably beaten by quite a few of the top sides. It's because when Modric is put against a midfield that will either put him under a lot of pressure, or one with superior players altogether in it, he's quite easily nullified and doesn't have the same impact because -shock horror- he's not actually anywhere near as good as people say he is.
Good player against the small teams, but he can look a lot better than he really is. He's been exposed many a time against the bigger teams, and like Bale, Tottenham should jump at an offer of £30+ if they can get it.
Thing is though, it's alright to say "take the cash" for both of them but they'd have to do a lot of work to replace them.
Without those two and Adebayor they'd be a million miles from their current points tally. Not saying it isn't possible to improve the side overall if they spend wisely, but it's easier said than done and a difficult balancing act.
Without those two and Adebayor they'd be a million miles from their current points tally. Not saying it isn't possible to improve the side overall if they spend wisely, but it's easier said than done and a difficult balancing act.
Good point, but if they were doing that then they should do it near the start of the summer so that they then have a full window to rebuild and improve. They would certainly have the money to do so, as well as the time.
£60m to replace those two players would be more than enough in my opinion. Someone like Cabaye could be a good buy for Spurs, even though he may be a bit more attacking minded than Modric.
There are plenty of players out there who could replace Bale. Maybe not here, but there would be no harm in them maybe trying to put in a cheeky bid for someone like Munain (spelling) who would probably be a good replacement.
£60m to replace those two players would be more than enough in my opinion. Someone like Cabaye could be a good buy for Spurs, even though he may be a bit more attacking minded than Modric.
There are plenty of players out there who could replace Bale. Maybe not here, but there would be no harm in them maybe trying to put in a cheeky bid for someone like Munain (spelling) who would probably be a good replacement.
Was voted the worst signing of the year by Marca readers. I know it's only been half a season, but was he really that bad? I haven't watched Madrid much recently.
http://www.marca.com/2012/12/31/en/football/spanish_football/1356978303.html
http://www.marca.com/2012/12/31/en/football/spanish_football/1356978303.html
I'm sure he hasn't been that bad, has he? Maybe the most pointless signing though.
Nuri Sahin says hello.
Yep, still can't understand why Madrid signed him. If you pay so much for an established player, then surely it is because he is viewed either as an upgrade, or a better fit for the system you want to play, than what you already have.
If that's not the case, then why bother? The whole point of signing new players is to improve your team. Many people couldn't see the point of us signing RVP, but the reason why we did is now blatantly obvious, he has made us better. We are now far more potent as a result of that signing, which is justification enough for splashing out on him.
Madrid fans must be looking at Modric playing a bit part role, and wondering what they have gained by signing him, and why they were arguably a better team before they signed him. Not blaming modric for making Madrid worse than last year, but simply making the point the Modric signing hasn't made them any better than they were, which should be the whole point really.
Do you know who got it last season?
Edit: Just found out it was Pedro Leon
Add that to Queresma, and Mourinho has made the worst signing in the league three of the last four years he's managed.
Worst signing of the whole of La Liga? Or just for Madrid?
They paid a lot for Coentrao when they had Marcelo. I guess Mourinho wants his tactical options and a quality squad.
La Liga. Song came 2nd.
I guess he doesn't know how to build an organic side and keep all his fringe players happy.
In my opinion they signed him cos he was Croatia's star player in the Croatia vs Spain game and Florentino always needs to sign someone to show off to his public. After the Croatia vs Spain game Modric became a real 'name' to Spanish fans and not just another very good player, he fit the bill for 'the project'. They may have thought about the long term after Xabi Alonso leaves, which is looking increasingly likely, but I doubt that much thought when into it.
Nothing seems too outlandish, when we talk about Madrid! Combine some huge ego's and some bizarre logic and anything's possible in that madhouse!
Xabi Alonso leaving? That should set some interest going. He would improve any side imo, and ours more than most i would suggest. PL proven and top quality. Get him signed SAF!
Modric was supposed to be a versatile midfielder. Backup for Alonso (who looked knackered at times last season). A good third man when they play a proper 4-3-3. Competition for Ozil. And maybe even the holy grail - the ideal partner for Alonso when they play two in the middle. So far though he's just looked like a misfit, an average looking sub for Alonso, Khedira or Ozil without the advantages of Kaka, Callejon or even Essien.
Personally I think Madrid's midfield has been crap this season, and expecting Modric to come into the mess and fix it (or rise above it) in a couple of months is ridiculous.
That said, the real reason he topped the bad buy poll was because everyone in Spain's annoyed with Mourinho.
Personally I think Madrid's midfield has been crap this season, and expecting Modric to come into the mess and fix it (or rise above it) in a couple of months is ridiculous.
That said, the real reason he topped the bad buy poll was because everyone in Spain's annoyed with Mourinho.
It was 100% Mourinhos signing... not Florentinos
TBh, it always struck me as the type of signing Mourinho likes to make. A well established, experienced player on big wages signed for a large fee.
Don't quite know why he hasn't lived up to expectations, because i do rate him as a top quality player. But saying that, he won't be the first quality player enticed by the lure of Madrid, only to find it to be not quite the fairytale they had envisaged.
I'd still have Modric at OT in a heartbeat, especially if Mourinho goes and he becomes available for a Sneijder-esque cut price fee!
He's been a bad signing because he's not been used much, when he has been used its been in place of Ozil and Real rely on Ozil to create for them. Modric hasnt done the same. He just hasnt done anything yet. I mean he's been Madric's 7th most creative player this season... You'd expect a bit more than that. Problem is that now we're talking about him he'll do something against us in the champions league
As for who made the signing, it's the president as with every single player Real Madrid sign. Cant believe people still dont understand how it works with them and a lot of Spanish clubs. For some extra proof, he's started 8 games so far. If you're a manager who goes all out to sign a big name player for a lot of money you're probably going to pick them more often than that.
As for who made the signing, it's the president as with every single player Real Madrid sign. Cant believe people still dont understand how it works with them and a lot of Spanish clubs. For some extra proof, he's started 8 games so far. If you're a manager who goes all out to sign a big name player for a lot of money you're probably going to pick them more often than that.
Mourinho has made a lot of bad signings in his career. I think that the bones of his Chelsea side was already in place when he got there. He then proceeded to buy some expensive tripe for them too.
No i think most of us get how it works Ekeke, but there is still the question of whether the signing was at the behest of mourinho, or whether Perez has signed him whether mourinho wanted him or not. I don't believe Perez is signing players without mourinho's consent. If he had have been, with the way results have gone, no doubt in my mind that mourinho would have let everybody know about it, through very public griping!!
Sometimes signings just don't fit the bill as well as the manager initially expected. Let's not forget the Sahin signing too. Yes he got injured but he just never quite found his feet, because mourinho couldn't fit him in how he originally intended too. Modric could just be a similar case.
Sahin was signed on the cheap. You always have to wonder about those. Look at Chelsea and Marin as well.
You will never know whether the club would have actually signed the player at full price or if actually they just thought they'd take a punt on them because they were on the cheap.
Mourinho will tell his president which position, the president will go out and sign someone. I'm sure Mourinho liked Modric anyway but I wouldnt be surprised if the president didnt even ask what he felt about him. Remember deals like Pedro Leon.
You will never know whether the club would have actually signed the player at full price or if actually they just thought they'd take a punt on them because they were on the cheap.
Mourinho will tell his president which position, the president will go out and sign someone. I'm sure Mourinho liked Modric anyway but I wouldnt be surprised if the president didnt even ask what he felt about him. Remember deals like Pedro Leon.
He was class in the Prem, I couldn't see him flopping at Madrid at all.
Thought he was pretty average at Spurs. Looked good with the likes of Parker around him but was definitely nothing special. Put quality players next to him and I'm not surprised he looks average. Thank God Fergie didn't splash £35m on him.
He had one very good season in the PL.