Spurs strike gold with Modric
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Modric just like Cruyff, he is that rare breed of footballer who runs a game.
TOTTENHAM’S Johan Cruyff Luka-like wears the same number as the legendary Dutchman and is also on his way to super-stardom.
Luka Modric is the Croatian Cruyff who promises to make this Spurs’ most enjoyable season in years. Yet the question mark over Dimitar Berbatov’s future also leaves the shape of their squad in doubt.
More of that later, though — first, the good news.
Spurs have struck gold with Modric just as they did when they poached boss Juande Ramos from Seville. The Croat consigned brolly-wally Steve McClaren and England to oblivion and may just be the man who drags Tottenham out of it.
Modric wears the No14 for Croatia, just like Cruyff did for Holland. And just like Cruyff, he is that rare breed of footballer who runs a game. The way he destroyed England last November in the pouring rain at Wembley, on a soggy, heavy, draining pitch showed he has the bottle to cope with the Premier League.
Modric will be the Lord of the Lane, a real Rolls-Royce of a footballer. But Ramos didn’t just buy a Roller, he also got himself a Bentley — David Bentley. If Spurs fans had been told last May they would lose Robbie Keane and get Modric and Bentley instead, they would be jumping for joy. A supremely gifted footballer, motormouth Bentley can rev up Tottenham’s drive for the top four.
Ramos has been getting rid of the dead wood in his squad — like Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque, Anthony Gardner and Younes Kaboul. Keeper Robinson’s replacement Heurelho Gomes is a safe pair of hands. If Ledley King finally shakes off his injury problems then, along with Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Hutton and Chris Gunter, they can form a solid defensive unit. And when crock Gareth Bale returns, Spurs will be further strengthened.
Yet the continuing uncertainty over Berbatov casts doubt over their season. If the Bulgarian goes, then Tottenham will have very little time left to replace him with a world-class striker. Ramos could do with Berbatov what Alex Ferguson did with Cristiano Ronaldo — keep hold of him against the player’s will.
Darren Bent is finally beginning to flourish but has a lot to prove. Mexican wonderkid Giovani Dos Santos boasts talent in abundance but looks lightweight. Yet, despite the worry over Berbatov, the Ramos factor gives them a tremendous chance to finish above Liverpool and finally reach the Champions League. It all depends on who will be their main striker.