What Makes Luka Modric Worth £100m?
Over the weekend Harry Redknapp revealed to the News of The World that he would not sell Luka Modric for £100m. Reacting to claims that Manchester United look to bring him to Manchester United as long term successor to Paul Scholes.
The Croatian playmaker deemed so important to Redknapp’s plans to build a side that is able to stay and compete in the Champions League on a regular basis, he has said in the press before now that it will be Luka that the team is built around.
Luka Modric made his name on being an attacking playmaker, which has been something of a speciality position in Croatia, so much so that at Wembley back in November 2007 Croatia played 3 to end England’s chances of a place in Euro 2008.
Modric came to England with high expectations and a high price tag when Ramos went up against Newcastle to sign him for a club record £16.5m. Modric game with great qualities, he is an intelligent player on and off the ball, able to find space. Technique and pace on the ball to weave past players, vision and passing range to bring others into the game.
First Arrived
On arrival to the Premier League, Modric’s slight body frame was something of a concern to many pundit, many questioning whether such a player would be able to cut it within the Premier League and indeed he struggled to settle in. Ramos played as a deep-lying playmaker, making his debut against Middlesborough in 2008 he sat deep to dictated the passing of the game.
But Juan Ramos exposed Modric too often coupling him with Jenas and an ineffective Huddlestone. Modric was unable to be effective in games and unable to perform the defensive duties needed within his deeper role in Tottenham’s system. Spurs found themselves bottom of the league and Harry Redknapp took over the club to rejuvenate the squad into what we know now as a Champions League side.
Modric Under Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp came in and straight away he moved Modric to his favoured position, wider on the left in a more attacking position where he more on the game, using his intelligence and pace to find space for himself. Luka became an important part of the attacking ability of the Harry’s side and started to gain plaudits from around the Premier League making 7 assists, while getting involved in much of Spurs play.
2010/11 Season: Modric remoulded again
After a slow start in his debut season and a injury ridden second season Luka had impressed enough to be offered a long term contract and with tough competition in the Spurs midfield has managed to fight his way to make regular appearances in Tottenhams first eleven.
Three seasons in the Premier League has allowed Modric to mature as a player. His intelligent play off the ball allows him to find space and able to adapt to different parts of the field.
Harry Redknapp back in January 2009 vowed that his side will be built around Palacios and Modric. Creating a destoryer-creator partnership. In fact the signing of Palacios has proven invaluable to Modric’s career at Tottentham, performing the watercarrier role that allowed Modric to find space and relieve Modric of the defensive duties that dogged him under Ramos.
Although Palacios seems to have fallen out of favour as Harry looks to fit in all the talented players he has in the squad. Modric has grown into the architect of Tottenham’s play.
Modric’s best performance of the season came in the Champions League and when everyone was looking toward the new Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale in the 3-1 victory over Inter Milan. Luka was the metronome dictating the game from deep and putting passes through to Bale and Lennon to run at Inter and providing the pass to Van Der Vaart for the opening goal.
Now he has settled back into a deeper ‘Pirlo’ role, able to drop deep to find space and with his passing ability and range through out the season he is vital in supplying the ball to the main attacking threats of Van Der Vaart, Bale and Lennon making him a vital member in Harry’s system. He could be closely compared to a young Pepe Guardiola.
Modric, just like Scholes has developed into the passing midfielder with sides that have been familar playing a successful 4-4-2 in the Premier League and both able to adapted their tactics when playing in Europe against the biggest we see each team playing a 4-2-3-1.
Modric lacking in the physique to go up against a player in the ‘Makelele role’ and Scholes with advancing years and heavier legs have moved into deeper positions to find space. this has now allowed Modric to blossom in the current footballing era at the top level and his passing ability makes him invaluable to Tottenham.
With Manchester United in search of a little more creativity and spark in their own midfield, it could be too Manchester United that Modric is worth £100m. Only 25, if Modric was able to look after himself could see another 10 years in his role and offer alot to Manchester United along with Jack Rodwell.
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Aniruddh
