Flashback III

“I don’t think he’ll hand in a transfer request. He will honour his contract”

Luka Modric’s agent, July 7th 2011.

For all the recent blog articles and rants, tweets, discussions and debate, I ask myself post-epiphany, what is the point in dissecting what you read from player, agent or club when the reality is nobody ever truly speaks from the heart, leaving the one constant (us) in all this chaos confused, angry and exhausted.

Half-truths, disinformation, conspiracy and lies.

Don't bother searching for loyalty and honour. They've long since been diseased by leprosy, left numb and disfigured, lost in some dark forgotten corner.

Enjoy the rest of your evening. Don't take life too seriously.

Statement of intent

Brace yourselves. It seems Sam Wallace of the Independent is privy to an imminent statement from Luka Modric concerning the players future at the club. The statement will no doubt be apologetic spin to limit any further damage made by the perfectly scripted quotes made from his boat to a Daily Mail reporter. Something lost in translation no doubt, he’ll say. It’s almost a certainty that Luka will be positive towards the club he’s currently contracted too and perhaps we can all move on and hope that Levy follows up his blockbuster statement from the other day with one pertaining to a new signing (or two).

Kia Joorabchian was/is (according to the Independent article linked above) involved with the Luka bombshell which more or less explains the shady developments of recent days. It’s looking more and more like they were testing Levy and the clubs resolve, possibly knowing deep down it was a long shot but giving it a go regardless - be it for a transfer or further improved wages (worked with Rooney). I guess had Chelsea bid £40M from the off, we might have found ourselves in a different position today. But they only bid a laughable £22M. Proving I guess that their ambition hardly matches Modric’s, if they don’t rate him highly enough to pay his worth.

To repeat what I said in my previous blogs, Levy’s devastating hand to face statement is one that allows zero wriggle room to go back on his word that the player is not for sell at any price (in addition to Luka’s comment that he would not hand in a transfer request). Levy knows the move is fantasy and I don’t blame him for taking advantage of this. He’s made sure he gets maximum impact out of making a mockery of the Chelsea bid. Flexing muscles for all to see. Using the ilk of language that shows off his strength in refusing to buckle.

Luka/agent/Joorabchian might want something else out of all this but they’ll have to wait another season at the very least.

It's been theatrical from all concerned. More so once the Luka statement is released. Because regardless of what he says in terms of appeasing the disgruntled and disappointed Spurs fans, it’s all been akin to a father taking a belt to his rebellious son to then have said son return from his bedroom after reflecting on his behaviour and apologise to the family for being out of line.

He was never going to get away with it.

Football agents, what's the point?

Dennis Lachter. What a guy. Andry Arshavin has been in England for all of 5 minutes and already his agent is stirring up rumourwhorage with some quality quotes. Apparently, Arshavin is not completely happy at Arsenal and that Barcelona along with one or two other clubs are interested in the player. Has Dennis spunked his commission already? But regardless of the interest, Lachter states that his client will not be leaving due to the money forked out for him by Arsenal and the fact he’s only just signed.

No shit Sherlock.

If all this unnecessary nonsense wasn’t enough he then slates Arsenals ‘French diaspora’ and that Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas are jealous of the Russians popularity. Apparently AA has been subjected to some jokes at his expense and that he isn’t completely happy on the left.

Now look closer at everything that’s been said. You’ll note that nothing has actually been said. Of worth.

Not completely happy? Exaggeration. Probably a case of him preferring to play in his more natural position. But considering his goal ratio and assists tally, I’d hate to see what he’s capable of when he’s completely happy.

Team mates jealous? Yeah, because van Persie and Fabregas are completely ego-less, aren’t they? I'm surprised they've even noticed him.

French disapora? Irrelevant. Any player that ends up at Arsenal is Wengervised into a detestable git, so it won’t be long before Arshavin becomes another Borg in the collective. You only have to look how Theo Walcott has gone from a sparky smiling kid into a Henry-lite with the posturing and posing. Funny how Henry-senior out in Catalan country, far away from Wenger, now celebrates without the pompous moody expression.

Jokes? Part and parcel of the game. Although I guess he would be a little miffed considering the general lack of humour that anyone associated with Arsenal possesses.

Which begs the question why Lachter bothered to open his mouth in the first place. What is the point in attracting attention when your client has only just committed to a club, after failing to sign for any of the previous 5 or 6 dream clubs that he wanted to sign for? Wait at least a year before you start looking again.

I was massively massively disappointed when he eventually signed for Arsenal, as it meant Andrey had to cancel his follow-up as a guest blogger.

As for us not signing him in the summer, I guess our money was better spent elsewhere in the end.

Innit.

Even so, it's rather entertaining to listen to this inane football agent try to justify his existence. All hail Paul Scholes! He knows the score.