Why Tottenham Must Keep Luka Modric

modric - apasciuto2

Whether Spurs’ Croatian talisman Luka Modric moves away from White Hart Lane seems to be in the balance. Following Chelsea’s raised bid of £27million for the attacking midfielder, Tottenham are under a lot of pressure to make a strong decision.

Make Or Break

When Tottenham managed to qualify for the Champions League in 2009/10 it was a fantastic achievement. It was their chance to embed themselves up with the big boys of Europe, to create a long-term legacy for Tottenham in the years to come. Perhaps the most important thing during 2010/11 was for them to repeat their achievement, back-to-back seasons in the Champions League would mean they would be able to start to cement themselves in the competition. It wasn’t to be, despite having a successful Champions League campaign only losing to Real Madrid in the Quarter Final, Spurs finished a disappointing 5th in the League, and got a largely unwanted spot in the unspectacular Europa League to boot.

The coming season will be a massive test for Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp as he tries to recreate the results from the 2009/10 season. With no Champions League distraction, fans will be expecting a fierce attempt, yet with Man City likely to have become a permanent top-four team, and a strong Liverpool side itching to return to Europe’s finest competition, there will be 6 clubs seriously battling for 4 places.

If Spurs don’t manage to make the top four this season, the likes of Bale and van der Vaart will surely consider a move to a team that’s able to offer them regular Champions League football. It would be a sign that, despite the relative success of reaching the Champions League in 09/10 and performing well in it in 10/11, Redknapp’s quest of becoming European Giants will be destined for failure.

The Future Hangs On One Man

Whether Modric stays or not has become much more important than whether on not he is on the teamsheet. He has become a symbol of Chairman Daniel Levy’s vision for the future of the club, and everyone is watching.

Levy has been trying and failing for years to hang on to Spurs’ best players, with Carrick and Berbatov both being snapped up by the powerful jaws of Man Utd in recent years. Now is the time to prove that Spurs have progressed to have sufficient power to keep hold of their stars.

If Modric were to go, Bale and van der Vaart would undoubtedly follow him out the door sooner or later, the whole process of building the team would have to begin once again. Furthermore it would probably have to be under a new manager, with Harry Redknapp favourite to take over the reigns from Capello when he leaves the England job in 2012.

Whilst Modric has made it quite clear he would like to move to Chelsea, his outbursts have thankfully been limited to a few public mumblings about an apparent ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ that wasn’t kept by Levy. Surprisingly for a footballer, Modric seems to have been (at least until now) quite respectful of the contract he is bound by, a refreshing sight to see.

If Modric does stay, players and clubs will hear the signal that Tottenham have become a powerful force. Spurs have a year to turn that signal into a place in the Champions League, if they fail they will have to go through the same processes they are going through now, trying to hang on to key players. If they succeed they must build upon their success, year after year. The road to become a regular top four club is a long one, and just a couple of wrong moves along the way could put them back to square one.

Put simply, Luka Modric must stay at White Hart Lane if Spurs want to progress as a club, or it could be many years before fans are able to see them perform in Europe’s greatest football competition once again.

Daniel Levy, it’s down to you.

(Image courtesy of apasciuto)

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About the author

Oliver Jay has written 41 articles for Soccer On The Brain

Football fanatic desperately trying to get over being ordered to go to cub scouts rather than attending a trial for Fulham at the age of 10. It all went downhill from there. Follow me on twitter @OliverJay_

  • Bob Hudgins

    I agree, and I also don’t think Modric is a good fit for Chelsea. Hard to understand what’s going on without more research.

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