Croatian maestro, Luka Modric recently wrote his name in the history books, becoming the first player to beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award in over ten years.
MODRIC OPENS UP ON FRIENDSHIP WITH RONALDO
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Julen Lopetegui insists Gareth Bale is content at Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has suggested that Gareth Bale would be staying put for the upcoming campaign after indicating that the Welshman is ‘very happy’ at the Bernabeu. Bale’s future came under question shortly after his Champions League heroics versus Liverpool where he admitted his frustration over the reduced gametime.
Luka Modrić Is The Main Person In Three-Way Deal Between The Giants Of Champions League
According to the reports, Luka Modrić, the Real Madrid midfielder is the main person for unlocking a major effect in this transfer window. This transfer window could see Lazio star Sergej Milinković-Savić in-demand and João Mário of Inter also secure moves before the new season. The transfer window chaos is showing no signs of getting slow down and international Modrić of Croatian has presumably told his employers that this summer he wants to leave the Santiago Bernabéu.
Modric Provided Contract Extension
Luka Modric has been provided a 4-year contract extension at Real Madrid. He will now remain at the club till the 2017-18 Season.
There have been quite a few changes in the midfield of Madrid this summer with the likes of Kroos and Rodriguez coming in, while, Alonso and Casemiro going out. But, Modric is still there which shows how vital the club management considers him.
Madrid had been benefitted immensely by Modric’s terrific playmaking abilities the previous season. The consistency of the Croatia international was one of the big factors behind the club’s continental victory.
Modric’s versatility gives Carlo Ancelotti the opportunity to try out different combinations. The 28-year old is capable of playing in aggressive as well as holding role.
Although, he seems to be at ease playing slightly up but, he does a job for his manager when he is asked to play deep as well.
Many a time last season, Modric showed how good he is against the teams having congested defences. He has that special ability to get through the lines and create opportunities for the front line of his team and with the kind of attacking combination Madrid plays with, rarely a scoring opportunity goes begging.
So, Modric holds a key position in Madrid’s line up.
Of course, the new signing Toni Kroos is also a similar kind of player in the sense that he is also versatile, but, still, given the kind of performances Modric put up in 2013-14 La Liga, it’s him who would be the manager’s go-to man in any tricky situation this season and a new contract to him is an acknowledgement of the fact that Ancelotti sees him as one of the anchor players around whom a young Madrid team is to be built.
Arteta Rejects SUggestions Of Move
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has rejected suggestions that he is looking for a move away from the club. The 32-year-old is out of contract next summer, while it is believed that he is not happy with Arsenal’s decision to offer him only a 12 month extension. The club has a policy of not offering players above 30 more than 12 months on a new contract. Arteta recently criticised this policy because he felt that experienced players offered a lot more than Arsenal imagine. After having been playing in the Premier League for several years, a return to Spain appears to be on the cards for the former Everton man.
However, he has rejected speculation linking him with a return to Spanish football by saying that he is happy at the Emirates stadium. Arteta has been a first-team regular since his £ 10 million move from Everton. He has been used in a deeper position by manager Arsene Wenger. Up until now, injuries to the likes of Abou Diaby and the departures of Alex Song have made him a permanent fixture in the centre of the park. This could change after the club recently strengthened its midfield with signings like Alexis Sanchez. Sami Khedira is also believed to be on the verge of joining Arsenal.
“I can’t stop the rumours, but what I am certain is that I’m really happy here, I feel valued, I have been given a lot of responsibility and I like it. Until they think something different about me, I’m happy. I had a conversation with the manager. He knows my opinion and we’re fine,” said the midfielder. Arteta also hailed the arrival of Sanchez from Barcelona for around £ 35 million. Khedira is expected to join the Premier League outfit for around £ 20 million from Real Madrid.
CASILLAS STRUGGLING
When Jose Mourinho departed Real Madrid during the last summer and the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti was announced it created expectations that Iker Casillas would undoubtedly be placed into the main squad of the team just as he has been doing for the majority of his playing career with the Spanish club.
Unfortunately for the captain of Spain, he has not played a single match, a single minute of this season of La Liga as Carlo Ancelotti has preferred placing Diego Lopez ahead of the World Cup champion.
Iker Casillas has already said that this campaign would be his last one in Real Madrid as the frustration of only being able to play in the Copa del Rey has reached him but the question that remains is where will he be playing in the next season.
Just about any club in the world would be willing to secure the services of the Spanish goalkeeper who still is regarded to be one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. Real Madrid has to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey finale and it is very likely that it will be the last match that Iker Casillas gets the chance to appear facing off against their eternal rivals Barcelona.
While Iker Casillas will be seeing his way out of the club in the summer, Real Madrid is believed to be interested in signing the Chilean midfielder of Juventus, Arturo Vidal and are prepared to launch an offer to the Italian club when the transfer window re-opens in the summer but they have stiff competition as Manchester United are also keeping close tabs on Vidal.
NEW MODRIC?
Philippe Coutinho has been one of the good signings for Liverpool, as the Brazilian has performed well above expectations since his £ 8 million move from Inter Milan. His signing was viewed as a gamble by the club, who had previously failed with big-money moves like Andy Carroll. Coutinho has more than defied expectations by becoming a first-team regular in the Premier league, which is regarded as hard league for the Brazilians because of the physical nature. Coutinho has been able to settle comfortably partly due to the presence of his international counterparts like Lucas.
Brendan Rodgers says that Coutinho has been excellent for Liverpool, but he expects more from the youngster in the coming years. He has compared him with former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, who is currently playing for Real Madrid. The Croatian midfielder did not have the physicality required to play in the English Premier league, but he more than adapted well and proved to be a major reason behind Tottenham’s upward surge in the last few years.
Modric then sealed a £ 35 million move to Madrid and he is starting to become a key player there as well. Rodgers has said that Modric scored 13 goals in his first season at Tottenham and he sees no reason why Coutinho cannot replicate it.
“I look at Coutinho as a Modric type. And when you look at Modric, then over four years at Tottenham he got 13 league goals but his influence was massive. He will naturally get more goals but he is a wonderful player for us. He is a key who opens up many things in a game. There’s no doubt he will want to improve it, but I don’t want to put pressure on to do that. They know what their job is,” said Rodgers.
MODRIC HAPPY TO BE LINKED
Former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that he is extremely happy that a great manager like Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him when he was the manager of Manchester United. Modric is currently playing for Real Madrid, but he was linked with several clubs over the last few years. The likes of Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester United were looking to secure his signature, but it was Real Madrid who ended up getting him for £ 35 million. Modric has revealed that he is happy to be playing for a club like Madrid, but he is also flattered due to interest from several big names over the years.
The Croatian is currently playing for Carlo Ancelotti, who tried to get him when he was at Chelsea and PSG. Tottenham were not prepared to sell him at any price during that period, but they were forced to sell to Real Madrid after they came in with a huge offer. Modric has said that the transfer interest from Manchester United did not materialise into a serious offer, but he is more than happy that Ferguson was interested in him. The former United manager is regarded as one of the best in the world after having led United to numerous titles in 26 years.
“Ancelotti wanted me already. One year ago at PSG and in 2011 at Chelsea. But then Andre Villas-Boas came and Tottenham did not want to give me up. I also knew of the interest of the United and even if the transfer did not materialise, the public appreciation of a great like Sir Alex is a big pride for me. Zvonimir Boban is an idol for me, an example of football and life. When I arrived at Tottenham and I received strong criticism, Boban took my number and called me,” said Modric.
STARTING TO SETTLE?
Ever since Luka Modric made the £ 34 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid, there have been rumours linking him with a return to the Premier league. He did not settle at the Spanish club in his first season, but he has now become one of the important players midfield especially after the departure of Mesut Ozil. He was voted by the fans as the worst signing last season, but he has now transformed himself and has endeared to the public.
He has not scored a goal for the club this season, but he has already made 10 appearances in all competitions. It has been a virtual ever present in the Madrid team under Carlo Ancelotti. He has been linked to the Premier league with the likes of Manchester United showing a lot of interest. The champions are keen to strengthen the midfield and were linked with numerous players in the summer including Modric. However, they were unable to get him, but they are expected to come in with a second offer in the summer.
Modric, though, has ruled out any possibility of returning now because he feels settled at Madrid. He was recently joined by his former Tottenham teammate Gareth Bale, who has become the world’s most expensive player at £ 86 million.
“I have no doubt that the best thing that ever happened to me in football is to play in Madrid. Where will I be in four years? Here. Besides being a great club, my family feels amazing in Madrid. In football it is difficult to plan, but if you ask me, I would like to retire in Madrid. With titles, of course,” said the midfielder, who failed to win the league title last season. This time around it is going to be difficult as well because they are five points behind Barcelona.
David Moyes eyeing Luka Modric
Croatian international midfielder Luka Modric features heavily in new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti’s plans but Manchester United manager David Moyes hopes to be able to persuade the former Spurs man to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford.
United have already lost out on their primary summer target, Spanish Under-21 international Thiago Alcantara of Barcelona who chose to follow his former boss Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich after a prolonged chase and with United short of creative midfielders, the United manager believes Modric is the man to provide the spark.
United have also been trailing former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, another Barcelona man with the hope of reuniting him once again with Robin van Persie, a partnership that enjoyed much success at the Emirates Stadium but the club has pinned a lot of their hopes on getting Luka Modric, a player who was targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson before he switched from White Hart Lane to the Bernabeu.
According to reports, United were very close to sealing a deal for the Croatian international but the club’s chairman Daniel Levy spoiled any move for the player by asking for an inflated transfer fee. Modric failed to make much of an impact at Madrid during his first few months at the club with Jose Mourinho using him sparingly but burst onto life after scoring the equalizing goal at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.
Now, with Mourinho having left the club for Chelsea and Ancelotti taking on the reigns of the club, Luka Modric feels that he has a lot more chance of getting a game at the club but at Manchester United, Moyes can guarantee him a starting berth in the side day in and day out and will be the star man in the United midfield.