Marchisio Boateng
Croatian and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric has finally broken his silence on how his move from Tottenham Hotspurs to Chelsea didn’t happen.
Extracted from Luka Modrić’s official autobiography Luka Modrić, the creative Croat revealed how he met the owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich on his yacht and his request for him to join the Blues for the 2011/12 season.
“With the 2010-11 Premier League season over, I was ready for my summer vacation. But it didn’t last long, as my agents – Vlado Lemić and Davor Ćurković – passed on Chelsea’s wish to sign me. Before transferring to Tottenham, it had seemed I would move to Stamford Bridge. This new contact only added to the impression that Chelsea thought highly of me.”
“I had met Abramovich only once before. I was watching Chelsea play against Atlético Madrid at Stamford Bridge and was seated close to his box. This is where we met and exchanged a couple of words. During our meeting on the Côte d’Azur, he left an impression of a relaxed, somewhat mysterious person. He wasn’t beating around the bush and said: “We know you are a quality player. I’d like you to sign for Chelsea.”
The midfielder who had spent four seasons at White Hart Lane was clear that he wanted a new challenge and his plan was to join a club where he can win trophies.
“My feeling was that it was time for a move – I wanted to fight for trophies and win titles, and I felt this wouldn’t happen if I stayed at Tottenham. I wanted to move to a more ambitious club.”
“Do you think Tottenham will resist your transfer? Are they going to put up a fight?” Abramovich asked. “I think the negotiations are going to be tough,” I replied, because I knew the clubs were not on good terms.
After the meeting with Mr. Abramovich, he was convinced that he would push to join Chelsea and even told reporters at a press conference that he thought it was time for a new step in his career.
Tottenham Hotspur Chairman, Daniel Levy was furious with his statement and reprimanded the Croatian and further reiterated the fact that he was not going to be sold at any amount.
Several improved offers came but Spurs and Levy kept rejecting them and all that didn’t sit well with Modric.
“We played a home game against Manchester City, and Redknapp asked me to play. I told him I wasn’t focused and that I would rather not play. Redknapp insisted and, as he had always treated me well, I agreed. We lost 5-1 and I was replaced 60 minutes. It was one of my worst performances.
“Three days after the transfer window closed and, while I was with the Croatia national team, I realised my move wouldn’t happen. I returned to London with a clear idea: forget what had happened and get down to work.”
After the transfer window was shut, Mr. Levy appraoched Modric with a new contract which he turned down because he felt Mr. Levy broke his promise of letting him join a bigger club when an offer came.
“Among other things, Levy then told me he’d let me leave for an offer from a big club such as Real Madrid. I told him I wouldn’t sign anything. My main focus was to play well for Tottenham and to prepare for Euro 2012.”
“I had proven myself as a player. I didn’t know where I would go from Tottenham. I didn’t know if and when Levy would agree to sell me. But I was convinced it was time to move on, to a new and bigger challenge. After four wonderful years, during which we felt at home in England, Vanja and I knew this life had come to an end.”
