Luka Potty and the Threatly Hollows
Monday, July 11, 2011 at 12:41PM (Part I)
It's a war of words between Luka Modric and Daniel Levy and it can still take on another twist and turn if action is taken as the next form of attack. But we've been promised no such undertaking from agent and player with regards to a transfer request. The words at play appear to be slow brooding monsters which wont truly pack a punch until they are backed up with substance. The trouble is, such substance would constitute an action that would possibly push this saga to the point of no return with any chance of a reconcile left bloody and lifeless on the dirty floor.
At this point it's hard to guess which of the two will be holding the shovel, digging the shallow grave. I'm going to side-step the necessity to drown myself (and you) in another philosophical dissection and instead just respond to what Modric has said in his most recent comments, post-meeting with Levy. I'll include a caveat. It's just a theory. Again, probably just part of the denial process we're all working our way through.
The caveat is this:
The words from Luka hurt because they are words directed straight at the chairman and at the club and appear to be pretty much final in terms of where his preference for football resides. Now regardless of whether these are actual words straight from the horses mouth or are in fact via the mouth of whom mounts said horse is neither here or there because the agent is protecting his clients best interests. Or at the very least advising client of what his best interests should be.
Note how quiet the agent is. Not too many quotables from him. All the sulking and disparaging remarks are from Luka. The victim. The one chained to a drain pipe in the basement. I'll get to the details below, but I'm wondering if victim Luka has been advised that the only way out is to engineer a sh*tstorm via relentless insubordination. Scrap relentless. It's more akin to a crying child that refuses to go to bed, ignoring his father and the belt he holds firm in his hands.
If there was no gentleman's agreement then perhaps a half-truth distorted to create the illusion of a broken promise? The fact is, how desperate is the player to leave Tottenham? If he's that desperate and hard done by, hand in a transfer request and go on strike. If this is a matter of honour (not to go back on your word) and handing in a transfer request is not a possibility and is in fact a point to be made (against Levy's apparent dismissiveness of the aforementioned broken agreement) then how about extending that honour to include the six year contract signed at the time?
I don't believe there's any prolonged tapping up at play. Chelsea have told the player they want him. They've done their bit. Light the match, watch the fire spread.
So unless this is a slowly orchestrated attempt to gradually force the club to sell up, I hardly see any point in all the crying from the Croatian. Because it won't be enough. He (along with agent) know there is no way out of this. They have quite possibly even accepted it. No legal clause, no leg to stand on. Massively long contract. Other clubs have stood their ground. Why should we be condemned for doing the same thing? He's our player. He should have thought about the challenges ahead for Spurs in terms of fighting to cement a top four place for more than just a cameo.
So all they can do is make biting remarks and point fingers about how unfair things are. As cited, if you mean it, then push us a little more to see the type of reaction you'll get.
If Luka had the same length of time left on his contract as Berbatov, then Levy would never have said what he said about this being a closed subject/not for sell/not about the money. Luka loses because of the signature he signed. This is not about loyalty because we know its something only supporters embrace. Luka left his boyhood club to join us, but that was thanks to an accepted transfer bid and agreement between two clubs and the player. He wants to play CL football now and his personal opinion on THFC has changed from this time last season when he was committed. In a blink of an eye things can change.
Until such a day (another move) he should deal with the reality that unless someone breaks a transfer record, we wont entertain it. And even then we probably wont - if you wish to take the chairman's words at face value.
The club > a player
Unhappy footballer aside, this is a statement. If Luka wants to be the sacrificial lamb, that's up to him.
Play out of your skin or be skinned. Over to you Luka.
Lengthy caveat or what? Okay, so I failed to side step drowning in another philosophical dissection. This is my therapy so thanks for listening. I've used The Guardian's article as reference to the translated interview from Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti. My thoughts included below each quote.
(Part II)
> Modric, who said Levy had given a "twisted account" of their meeting at the ground last Wednesday...
Anything can be 'twisted' if you don't happen to agree with it. It's called perception. If you're told something you don't like but it's an unequivocal truth you simply have to take it on the chin. So stop suggesting you've been knocked down to the canvas with a punch below the belt.
> "I reminded the chairman of our gentleman's agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham"Spurs are saying, supposedly, there was no agreement.
You wonder how this played out at the time. Was it part of the formal discussion? Did they sign the contract whilst dining at a restaurant? Few drinks? Perhaps Luka leaned forward, politely asked if the club could listen to any offers with Daniel nodding a yes and a sure. Is that it? Is that the get-out-clause? Is that Levy down on his knees with gun pushed hard to back of head? Levy, the shrewd negotiator agreeing to something doodled on a napkin? Give over. This sounds like nothing more than a seed planted to be refereed back to if required. Which is what agent and player have done.
Considering how content all seemed post-signing of contract, I doubt this was anything other than a whimsical whisper lost over some choice food and wine.
> "At that time, I had an open chat with Levy – that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned. Now Levy doesn't want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs. He threatened me – he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."
Does a club that advertises season tickets to fans with zero loyalty points constitute a big club? Or is it simply a club with big money? Sorry, low blow. Could not resist.
This is about Champions League and having it every season. Shame on us for attempting to break the already degrading monopoly. Fact is, had we qualified for it again we'd not be talking about Modric to Chelsea. Fact is, had Luka scored a couple of comfortable chances we'd not be talking about Modric to Chelsea. We are owed a lot by both Luka and the rest of the players. Just a couple of home wins in it, that was the difference.
Retaining Modric will mean nothing, not a thing, if we don't consolidate and sign 2/3 top drawer players. The onus is on the chairman here.
As for the rest of this quote. Anyone wish to explain to Luka what 'best solution for all concerned' means? It doesn't mean agreeing a transfer because the player wants one. Chelsea want you Luka? Get on the phone, have a word, tell them to start at £40M.
The threat part is tricky. Levy might well have explained that any player bringing the club and his contract into disrepute would be dealt with in the same manner. Do you see a problem with that? I don't. He can spend the whole season on the bench just to prove a point. A costly one. But he wont spend it there because he'll suck it up and perform for himself and the club.
> "I must say that I am genuinely disappointed about what Levy said to me. He didn't care about what I was telling him. It all only convinced me further that I was right to consider moving on to another club. I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner."
Hi.
Hello.
I want to leave Spurs.
Right.
Can I leave?
You're in a long term contract, you signed it very recently. Nobody has meet our valuation of you in terms of a transfer bid. And we also wish to retain your services, as per your contract.
I want to leave.
Close the door shut on your way out.
> Levy has a reputation for being a tough negotiator and there is no indication that he will back down. Modric's agent has suggested that his client will not lodge a transfer request to try to force the issue, which points to an impasse unless Chelsea make a substantial bid and Spurs accept there is nothing to be gained from keeping a player against his will.
That last bit is being touted as the probable conclusion. Can you see Levy going back on his words? Apologising that the situation has got to the point where player can no longer be retained? Honestly? Its about making a statement. The chairman's statement states that, no? If other clubs can hold onto a player under a long contract then we have to be seen to do the same. Otherwise, there's no point. Just get rid of Bale now so we're not put through the same saga next season.
Levy has made a stand. He simply can't be seen sitting down.
> "There is no doubt that Chelsea want me – they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham"
Concrete? More like Playdough. If Chelsea want the player, where is the renewed bid? Or is the plan to wait until the last day, with Luka protesting naked outside The Lodge refusing to train, before they table another £22M bid believing we'll do anything to get rid of him, even on the cheap?
Not going to happen. Words are cheap right? It's about actions and ones with substance. We've done our bit. We don't need to do anything else.
> "I know that the new Chelsea boss [André Villas-Boas] said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me – it's a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available."
Sorry what? Where? Did I miss this? Stinks of agent propaganda. No offence to Chelsea but 5-10 years ago players had never even heard of them. If you're going to leave, grow a set of balls, and let the missus know there is more than just London. Because that's the crux of it, isn't it? Head turned by CL (fair enough) only destination is Chelsea. Because anyone else would wish to perhaps aim slightly higher if they wished to jump from a small club like Spurs.
In conclusion:
Yes footballers have short careers and there's no wage cap so why not jump ship and go elsewhere and be given CL football without the concerns of having to chase it and then triple or even quadruple your earnings? All with the added bonus of elevating your stature in terms of exposure to continued top class football and silverware.
Clubs will continue to lose out to players. We'll continue to lose out, forever an easy access stepping stone. We have no choice but to make a stand. It's up to anyone wishing to employ Modric to call our bluff.
Modric will not sit on the bench. He'll play. All just empty threats to force us to give in and get rid. Hand in a transfer request. Make a genuine concrete bid for the player. Otherwise, just f*** off and shut up.
Reader Comments (109)
Paul, OK I was exaggerating a bit! But my point was that we gained a bit of money and raised our profile and we could have got a decent striker (would not have to be a household name). I am a realist, was never suggesting we should go on a huge spending spree but we missed an opportunity.
Nothing hysterical about, I'm not one of the anti-Harry brigade and I think Levy has done very well. I just wanted us to be able to push on, especially at a time when our rivals were not at their best.
Apologies blup blup, I didnt aim the whole rant at you, although I admit re-reading it does seem that way. Actually only the first couple of lines were addressing your point. My rant was just trying to point out to the large % of fans that seem to think last season was a disaster and that everything is easy to fix, if only we had taken a couple of blindingly obvious decisions. It just isnt the case - in reality even if we'd signed the striker people refer to as being the major part of our 'downfall' (falling 1 whole place..oooh the shame of it!). A couple of points here:
1. You yourself say we should just have got a striker - it wouldnt necessarily have to be a star name, just better than what we have now. But hang on - are there reallly players out there better than the likes of Pav, Defoe and Crouch that we've barely heard of and are available for a pittence and reasonable wages? Care to name some, cos I cant think of any. Well ok I can think of one caindidate - Odemwingie - buit thats based on 1 season (and he is 29, by the way). What does £20m and £50k a week get you for a striker? Jo. What does £60k a week get you? Chamakh. WHat does £100k a week get you? Adebeyor. Schalke want £20m for Huntelaar - he has failed in every big league he's played in - including at Schalke! Are these players really better than what we have? I tell you now, if Defoe was on the market almost every team in England outside last season's top 4 would be after him, and their fans would be far more excited about signing him than Jo. He had a bad season yes (although 9 goals in 30 appearences is far better than Jo has ever done), but he is expensive, highly paid with a decent career scoring record. I'm afraid there are no short cuts here. You arent goiing to get better strikers than Crouch or Defoe for a pittance. You might get a DJ Campbell or a Fletcher or a Kalinic or even an Agbonlahor, but these players are palpably not better than what we have, and will fall flat on their faces at a club like Spurs. I heard someone recently ranting that we should sign Kevin Davies - "everything that Pav is not' apparently. Seriously. Good players for Bolton, certainly does well against us, but doing the business week in week out for a high profile club like Spurs? No chance.
2. Lets assume we had signed this mystery striker. Lets even assume it was a brilliant, expensive one. Would we have finished in the top 4? I doubt it frankly. We were miles off it. Ignore Arsenal's final points total - they gave up with nothing to play for towards the end. If we'd been close, I think they'd have got more points. City, by the end of the season, were light years ahead of us - not surprising since their team cost 3 times as much.
My advice to pissed off fans: by all means strive for improvement, but dont forget to enjoy we what have. You are witnessing a really good Spurs side that plays great football and wins far more than it loses. 15 years ago this team would have walked the PL. Dont fall into the torturous trap of going mad with raised expectations. It only ends in tears. Just ask a Leeds fan
Complaining about our lack of activity in the last year is ballony. Two of our best players - VDV and Sandro - were signed within the last 12 months. I accept we need a striker, but some clubs need whole new teams.
I don't give a shit what other teams need. You accept we need a striker, and I accept that we can't afford Messi. Nothing was done at all and it cost us. If we are so poor, why was Redknapp telling us we were throwing £30+m at strikers in January, when it was patently clear to most that we needed a striker last summer?
Anyone who thinks getting to the last 8 of the CL is unacceptable, watching players of the quality of VDV, Bale and (grrrr...) Modric along the way is welcome to get in my time machine and go back 10 years.
You sound like Redknapp himself, 'lazily trotting out' last 8 CL, 2 from 8, never had it better etc. Of course no-one is suggesting that the last 8 is unacceptable, but for me, our form against the bottom 6 was unacceptable, and, like it or not, Redknapp might be a convict of fraud this season or off as the English manager next. Is it really that stupid to think about replacements?
'But hang on - are there reallly players out there better than the likes of Pav, Defoe and Crouch that we've barely heard of and are available for a pittence and reasonable wages? Care to name some, cos I cant think of any.'
No-one expects you to, unless you're paid millions of pounds a year to find the right players?
'Ignore Arsenal's final points total - they gave up with nothing to play for towards the end. If we'd been close, I think they'd have got more points. City, by the end of the season, were light years ahead of us - not surprising since their team cost 3 times as much.'
I wouldn't call winning 3 of their last 4 games giving up, and saying City were light years ahead of is absurd. Win the game toward the end of the season against them and we were 3 points behind. It's fitting that Crouch won the game for them - that's how bad our 'strikers' were. Win the game at the beginning of the season where we all over them but our 'strikers' failed again, and then we're level - see where this is going?
"You sound like Redknapp himself, 'lazily trotting out' last 8 CL, 2 from 8, never had it better etc. Of course no-one is suggesting that the last 8 is unacceptable, but for me, our form against the bottom 6 was unacceptable, and, like it or not, Redknapp might be a convict of fraud this season or off as the English manager next. Is it really that stupid to think about replacements?"
Bravo, TMWNN, bravo. You just saved me a lot of typing.
I swear to God, nothing makes me want to reach through the computer and slap someone like the absurd reductionist view: we finished x places above where we should have based on wage structure, gate receipts, purchase price of squad, shirt sponsorship, whatever the flavor of the month financial metric is.
PaulF, I don't recall if you are the same annoying git who was wailing away on this theme a few months ago but please, I beg you, cease and desist.
'But hang on - are there reallly players out there better than the likes of Pav, Defoe and Crouch that we've barely heard of and are available for a pittence and reasonable wages? Care to name some, cos I cant think of any.'
That Striker would of been Rossi, 18m at the time, The Hatrick against us in the pre season friendly at WHL said it all. Head and shoulders above everyone that night, but Harry only had eyes for Joe Cole, FFS.
I tell you what Steveyid, Ziegemonster, TMWNN, trying to reason with people like you is like trying to explain to my 3 year old daughter why she needs to wipe her arse. Your opinions are ill thought out revisionist nonsense.
"Rossi was available for £18m, after scoring a hatrick against us". According to who? Why did nobody else snap him up for such a bargain buy? Why, when Spurs did enquire, was he suddenly worth £30m? Have you really thought this through? And by the way, same Rossi that was at Man U till he was 21 is it? Not exactly a risk free purchase when you know he has failed once in the country is it, even at a 'measly' £18m. You are pissing into the wind trying to pretend that this club has fucked up when infact it has never been in a better position. Honestly, I think you are all following the wrong club. Chelsea and Man City fit the bill for you guys. But hey hoo, no skin off my nose. Enjoy your lifetime of misery and frustration as your hopelessly high expectations are never met.
Ziegemonster - thanks for the complement. But frankly I'd rather be an annoying git than a brainless cunt. There's plenty of the latter on the internet
By the way TMWNN, you seem to have drifted into your wibbly wobbly world of fantasy when discussing Arsenal too. Arsenal did not win "3 of their their last 4", the won ONE of them. They lost 2 (Stoke and Villa) and drew with Fulham. Infact, they won 2 of their last 10 PL fixtures. You might not call that giving up, the rest of the world would (and, indeed, did).
And while we are on points of fact, City finished 9 points clear of us. Their GD was +27, ours was +9. Like it or not, they did finish light years ahead of us. If any team were to win the league by 9 points it would considered a million miles.
Paul F - Harry himself come out and said Rossi would of cost £18m at the beginning of last season, so you could assume the matter had been discussed. I think it was the fact Barcelona started looking at him which put his price up in January and probably destroyed any chance we had of signing him.