Luka Modric’s recent comments calling out for Gareth Bale to join him at Real Madrid demonstrated a complete lack of respect and gratitude to the club which did so much for him.
The irony is that, for all the class he shows in his play on the pitch, he displays a distinct lack of class with his words off the pitch.
“Of course Spurs want to keep Bale – he is loved by the fans and it is easy to see why,” Modric told The Sun on Friday. “But they must make Champions League football this season if he is to stay.”
The Croatian’s comments appeared to anger Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas, evoking a reaction out of him which is sure to please Spurs fans.
“I think he should focus more on his club than ours,” Villas-Boas said.
“His team finished second (in the group stages) and Modric now has to worry about getting into the quarter finals of the Champions League when the draw comes out,” he added.
Questions now rise over why Modric saw fit to show little regard to his old club in his comments. Is it an attempt to deflect Madrid’s poor form since his arrival or is it just pure ignorance?
Gareth Bale’s superb form has, not for the first time, ignited speculation of him leaving White Hart Lane. The young Welshman signed a four-year contract at the beginning of the season, which stood as an admirable gesture of commitment considering Tottenham missed out on Champions League football. In view of this, coupled with Daniel Levy’s notorious shrewdness in the transfer market, means a very substantial sum of money would have to be coughed up to acquire Bale’s services.
What is more, it would be silly to liken Modric’s situation at Spurs to Bale’s. The Croatian did not hold back in his vocal intent to secure a transfer away from White Hart Lane – behaviour which, on several occasions, affected Tottenham’s team morale and subsequent performances.
Bale, on the other hand, has never voiced desire to leave Tottenham in the near future and every part of his manner, on the pitch and off it, would suggest he isn’t the type to force a chairman to transfer him.