Luka Modric: Are Tottenham Fans Impressed by their Croatian Star So Far?
Tottenham were one of a number of the biggest clubs in Europe who’d been linked to the 23-year old Croatian playmaker Luka Modric. But with illustrious names including the likes of Read Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle heavily linked to the player few expected he would end up at White Hart Lane. Yet it was Spurs who announced they had captured the much coveted midfielder early this summer.
The Croat had burst onto English club’s radars following his nation’s footballing displays in the home and away European Championship qualifying wins over England. The two-footed creative attacking midfielder was expected to fill Spurs troublesome left-midfield slot or dominate possession from the centre of the side.
Much was expected of arguably Tottenham’s biggest summer signing but unfortunately things have not gone to plan for the player or the club. Spurs have slumped to the bottom of the Premier League following an opening 4-match run that has seen the team amass just 1 point. The Croat has failed to find his feet in a new-look side that has lacked shape and the attacking threat they possessed last season. To be fair to the player it’s difficult to a foreign star to come into the Premier League but to join a team packed with new stars and without a settled system must be even worse.
Modric has made 4 League appearances without scoring as has looked relatively lightweight in Spurs midfield that lacks strength or shape. He is also out injured which will frustrate the exciting talent even further as the beginning to his White Hart Lane stay has been a difficult one. Particularly as he possessed an excellent goal scoring record for his former club Dinamo Zagreb of 27 goals in 93 League appearances.
You get the feeling if the young midfielder has joined a settled side he would shown more of the form that prompted him to win the 2007 Croatian Player of the Year award as well as being named in the Euro 2008 team of the tournament.
Modric has now made 31 appearances for his country (5 goals) and captains the national side. Once he adapts to the Premier League he should prove to be the major force Spurs want him to be. With Spurs rock bottom of the Premier League, the question remains when?
So have Tottenham fans been impressed by Luka Modric so far? Have you seen glimpses of what to expect from the Croatian star? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Luka Modric, Premier League, Tottenham
September 19th, 2008 at 10:50
he is too lightweight
September 19th, 2008 at 10:50
Give him and other players a little more time to adapt to the premiership and then I think you will see the likes of him Pavlychenco and Dos Santos shining in the Premier League. They are good signings but need to get up to speed with the hardest football league in Europe!
September 19th, 2008 at 10:52
He is unfortunate to join a team in limbo with too many new players. I have sympathy for him at the mo but sure he will come good!
September 19th, 2008 at 10:53
The reason Modric hasn’t shown his full potential is because he plays defensive midfielder in 4-2-3-1 formation, which he can play well, but is smothered with defensive actions. He is used to being in charge of the game and not giving the ball away to other midfielders and standing so far away from the goal.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:54
Quality player in poor side…if only we had an enforcer it would be much easier transition for him
September 19th, 2008 at 11:05
Yes he has struggled so far, but he’s not one to lie down like Reyes was during his spell at Arsenal. After hes knocked off the ball he gets straight back up again. It’s things like that which make me think he will be able to cope with the pressures that come in the premier league. He needs time, like they all do. It will eventually come good.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:16
Can anyone explain to me why we offered new contracts to Zokora and Dawson??
September 19th, 2008 at 11:20
Maybe he should pinch Fat boy Lampards lunch box and stuff his face a bit more! Poor wee lad needs feeding.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:45
give him some of your special lasagne!!!!!!
September 19th, 2008 at 11:48
LOL 1 point lane maybe with a face lift too! I thought Keown was ugly?
September 19th, 2008 at 12:00
This really is tragic. Over the past three close-seasons this farce of a club has spent £150m on players and received back £100m - a deficit of £50m - for which they have achieved continued mid-table obscurity and are now bottom of the table.
Meanwhile their neighbours spend virtually nothing (in terms of deficit) and have come close to winning the League and even the Champions’ League with a bunch of kids who are improving by the year.
One thinks the team in lilleywhite should give up and simply watch the Arsenal attempt to build on their impressive haul of thirteen league titles.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:01
Come close to winning the league???? when was this?
September 19th, 2008 at 12:05
Earlier this year, Gus - Arsenal finished just 4 points short of ManUSA, and had been top of the league until, I believe, March. A fair description of “close”, methinks.
For clarity, let us remember that the lilleywhite team finished in the bottom half - in spite of spending all pre-season pretending they were going to finish in the top four. The same is happening again this season, is it not?
September 19th, 2008 at 12:09
Overrated and too small. Ridiculous money spent on him. Another wasted signing. we are a joke.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:21
i seem to remember the title being between 2 sides at the end, you are the equivalent of pace setters in athletics…start well, fade massively when pressure is on. We have had a huge turnaround in playing staff…it takes time for foreigners to blend in whilst not so much at your gaff as that’s the norm
September 19th, 2008 at 12:23
too small? is the gypo fabregas too small? michael owen a man mountain? once we buy someone to lead the side he will be fine
September 19th, 2008 at 12:30
Modric needs the rest of the players in the team to understand how he plays. If you ever watch him play, he’ll be doing all the cute passes, but the rest of the team just dont understand/expect him to do it.
its almost as if he is too good for the Spurs team. however, soon, the team will understand Modric and that’s when the team will tick and start winning things
September 19th, 2008 at 13:18
Jonah Says:
September 19th, 2008 at 11:16
Can anyone explain to me why we offered new contracts to Zokora and Dawson??
Fair point about Dawson but as for zakora??? do u even watch spurs games??? he is obviously a superb defensive midfielder who does so much work covering back. sick of fans who give out about him, they know nothing about football
September 19th, 2008 at 13:29
Are you having a laugh Mark? Zokora is not a superb defensive midfielder at all. In fact he is crap on the ball, barely puts in a tackle, has no positioning sense but to be fair can run in straight lines very quickly.
He is pony..a good defensive midfielder mops up threats in front of the back 4…eg, Young the other night and countless Wisla attacks last night. He is appalling and O’Hara would be a better option which says alot. The only good thing about Zokora is his song!
September 23rd, 2008 at 13:36
Spurs, u dont even no what u got. Modric will shine, he just needs more time and the bigger problem is that he is injured all the time.
Pavlyuchenko the same, if Ramos finds a way this team can make it to the top.
September 30th, 2008 at 02:53
THE TEAM SHOULD BE BUILT AROUND THIS GUY , HE IS BY FAR THE MOST CREATIVE AND SHOULD BE PLAYING JUST BEHIND THE STRIKERS OR ANYWHERE HE FEELS COMFORTABLE FORGET BENTLEY THIS GUY CAN MAKE US TICK I WISH WE WERE MORE SETTLED BEFORE HE MOVED TO US AND I HOPE WE DONT GET RELEGATED BEFOREHE SETTLES IN BECAUSE THATS HIM GONE .
October 31st, 2008 at 01:17
He will become a player in a class of his own soon enough, so much talent in such a small guy. Harry will get the skills and talent out of the young guy soon enough,
Onwards And Upwards For THE YID ARMY!!