Modric just like Cruyff, he is that rare breed of
footballer who runs a game.
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.
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