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Dear Luka Modric

3 min read
by The Fighting Cock
I’m not quite sure why it is that I’m writing to you. You could call it a goodbye letter, I suppose. Although I still haven’t got my head around the concept of seeing you leave, adorning another team’s colours… I’m not angry at you for wanting to leave my beloved Tottenham. It’s been getting gradually […]

I’m not quite sure why it is that I’m writing to you. You could call it a goodbye letter, I suppose. Although I still haven’t got my head around the concept of seeing you leave, adorning another team’s colours…

I’m not angry at you for wanting to leave my beloved Tottenham. It’s been getting gradually more obvious that you’re out of our league: us the swashbuckling, romantic nearly-men; you the ingenious, graceful Croatian. We were good together for the first few years, you can’t deny that, but it has now become clear that we were never going to be long-term relationship material. As much as it pains me to say this, I can see that your heart just isn’t in it anymore. No matter how much we’ve tried to persuade you.

Yeah we had our rough patches, last summer I even remember pretending I didn’t care if you left us. I said to myself ‘no-one is bigger than the club, let him go’, but I knew deep, deep down that I wasn’t ready for the split back then, we still had some way to go. And just for the record, as far as I’m concerned those silly ‘quotes’ from you on the Croatian yacht were lost in translation. You just wouldn’t have said those things about Chelsea. Not that club. They’re beneath you. They’re beneath everyone.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking things through. And I feel that you going away, far away, somewhere hot like Madrid, would make a lot more sense than if you stayed in London. It’s just because I don’t want to have to awkwardly run into you, which is likely to happen if you stay. Even if you go north to Manchester we’ll still see each other. We need a clean break, we need to be out of each other’s hair, start afresh, because I don’t much like old wounds being reopened and I’d hate to see you being happy with someone else. We’ve come as far as is healthy for us now though, I think it’s time you moved on, it’s for the best. I think I’m ready.

I just wanted to say a few more things before you really do leave though, I’ve been needing to get them off my chest for a while and it’ll be impossible to say them once you’ve left.

You were the best player I’ve ever seen play at the Lane. Never mind your ‘aerial weaknesses’, your ‘poor goal-scoring record” or your ‘lack of defensive awareness’ – you could regularly play passes that other players couldn’t even see. In fact, that doesn’t even do it justice. You could play passes that other players couldn’t even dream about. You could do the simple stuff too.

When we went on that 11 game unbeaten run back before last season turned rotten, you were the one pulling the strings. People said we were playing the best football in the league and it was you Luka, you were behind it all. You would spread the play, you would use the space, you would do everything. I loved it.

You had your own special moments too. The wonder-strikes against Bolton and Liverpool, remember those? Of course you do. They were special indeed.

Then there was the Champions League journey that you were such an important part of. I hope you don’t ever forget the atmosphere we provided on those home nights. Against the Milans the place was rocking, no matter where the footballing world takes you, you’ll never find a place quite like White Hart Lane. Remember that for me, will you?

Anyway, I’m rambling. Good luck in life Luka, it’s been a pleasure having you.

Yours faithfully, a forever grateful Yid. x

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33 Comments

  1. spursffs
    20/06/2012 @ 7:07 pm

    ghey

  2. Harry
    20/06/2012 @ 7:12 pm

    Even if it was a woman writing this, it would still be ghey.

  3. henryp0p
    20/06/2012 @ 7:15 pm

    and proud :)

  4. Andrew
    20/06/2012 @ 7:30 pm

    If I were Levy, I’d hold out for one more year still. Four years left now, even three years would still have us in the position of power in negotiations. If AVB does come in, Modric would be well suited for the previous formations and tactics used by him. Levy is strong enough to ignore the advances of any clubs that come in, and hopefully the incoming FFP and economic problems will stop ridiculous offers coming in (Although if we are offered £40m+, I’d defiantly accept it).
    Agree that if he is to leave though, only want him going abroad. If we do accept a ridiculous offer from Madrid/Barca/PSG, then I feel he could leave on fairly amicable terms with the fans. Yet if he ends up in Manchester or at the Chavs, then I can see him becoming a hated figure for us, which would be a real shame considering all the great times we’ve had with him.

  5. tommytbone
    20/06/2012 @ 7:45 pm

    another 5 mins of my life i’ll never get back another news now site to be block’d

  6. smoothspurs
    20/06/2012 @ 7:46 pm

    is this the same Luka we have all been watching at the lane? that same player who refused to play at the start of the season, that same player who’s best passes are side ways or backwards, the same player, attacking/central midfielder making passes others could only dream about with a grand total of 6 assists last season what passes are you making reference too, not many with a purpose, the same player scoring 5 times from 76 shots last season, the same player who went missing along with the other so called world beaters during the end of the season, a good player who keeps the game flowing and ball moving yes, a world beater, you’re having a laugh, get 30mil for him and we’ve done well, replace him with someone who wants to play for the club, someone who can pick out a telling pass and a midfielder who can add to our attacking options and score a few goals. good bye Luka, we have outgrown you COYS

    • ilovespurs
      20/06/2012 @ 8:05 pm

      Mate, there is a reason why the best teams in the world of football want to buy him and that on its own should be why we need to keep him. Did you see Modric vs Spain at the Euros? He was as good even better than Xavi and Busquets- he matched them toe to toe. Modric is not about scoring goals he is about creating them from deep- hence his title as one of the best deep lying play makers in the world. Tottenham dont play with central midfielders- to be fair we only have one and thats Livermore- Modric and Huddlestone are both deep lying playmakers whilst Sandro and Parker are defensive midfielders. He is playing too deep to be scoring goals- he plays along side Parker who is a defensive midfielder- you dont really expect goals from him? Modric is a brilliant player who was made at Tottenham Hotspurs and i think its time we reaped the rewards- i mean our midfield trio of Parker, van der Vaart and Modric are a beauty to watch- van der Vaart is the captain of his country, Modric the best Croatian player and Parker, a player England cant play without- plus Lennon and Bale on the wings- i mean all we need is Edison Carvani up top and we are title winners!

    • BdaSpur
      20/06/2012 @ 9:09 pm

      Last time I checked Tommy Huddlestone could pick a telling pass. Probably a bit rusty though.

    • R Black
      21/06/2012 @ 2:05 pm

      Your about right there smoothspurs.

  7. Zimmer
    20/06/2012 @ 7:52 pm

    One from the heart, thanks Henry

  8. THEOFC
    20/06/2012 @ 8:12 pm

    Best player you’ve ever seen at the lane??? Tut tut

    Clearly haven’t been watching Spurs for very long

    • henryp0p
      20/06/2012 @ 8:26 pm

      Can’t do anything about my age pal..

  9. finewan
    20/06/2012 @ 8:56 pm

    Truer words have never been said

  10. kellyidtay
    20/06/2012 @ 9:06 pm

    listen i agree with what u just said, modric isnt the best player ive seen at the lane but then hes up there. i love luka modric i did the first day we bought him. i just wish he had more commitment for the club, but we dont know what levy is guna do, the power is in his hands and we dont know what levy is guna put in front of him. He is a great player and when hes on top of his game his football is breathtaking.. we are breathtaking as a team.. i havent heard luka say he wants 2 leave, he said he liked hearing that clubs like real and barca are interested in him and tbh i wud be.. i wudnt leave however cus i love spurs but u know wot im sayin.. he wants champ league football and we cant blame him for that we just need to hold onj 2 that he has 4 yrs left and levy aint a fool he is a buisness man.. im beleiving big for this season.. so COYS..

  11. bobble job
    20/06/2012 @ 9:14 pm

    I have supported Spurs for long enough to remember all the players everyone spouts on about when trying to win a “we’re bigger than you”arguement.
    Modric the best ? Maybe not – there are a few decent contenders to that crown in fairness.
    But Modric’s name is in the frame for sure.
    That lad has a range of passing as good as anyone in Europe at the moment,
    Sometimes its not about assists, goals, stats……its about watching a player that can hit a pass with perfect weight – cross field, down the channels and yes of course side ways – see a run before the player even makes it.
    For sure the chelski debarcle was a bit stinky – but sometimes you just have to conceed that moving is probably the best option for a player that should be gracing the best teams around.
    Anyone that can’t see the enormity of the loss probably thinks David Batty was the 90’s Xavi.
    I remember when Hoddle played his lasr game thinking “who on earth is going to follow that”- felt the same way about Gascoine…will feel the same way if/when Luka goes………I just hope he remembers us the same way I will remember him.
    Just don’t go to Chelski or Man Yoo……maybe then I won’t remember him at all
    Only fair right !!!!!

  12. tris
    20/06/2012 @ 9:44 pm

    regardless of the comments, this nearly brought a tear to my eye!! Feel exactly the same, time for the little lad to move on, maybe spain is too close. I hear they pay well in shanghai these days!

  13. TommyHarmer
    20/06/2012 @ 10:24 pm

    you never saw Harmer, White, Blanchflower ………….

  14. TommyHarmer
    20/06/2012 @ 10:26 pm

    you never saw WHL before it was a carpet ………….

  15. brian
    20/06/2012 @ 11:06 pm

    Sorry guys,but if his heart is not with us anymore.let him go,yes he is a very good player,but he is not bigger than the club.If he really has to go.Let him go to la leagia.Plus the club will probably get more money for him,after all Manu,want him on the cheap,Yeah right,Not with Daniel levy in charge.And cheatkski.Yes their sugar daddy has the money,but I for one,do not think that Mr Levy would now sell him of to them.Plus of course he did sign that 4 year deal.So the club,do have the legal right to make life difficult for him,if they so wish.

  16. Bill
    21/06/2012 @ 12:21 am

    Fatty Hud must be back soon from his injury and can replace the Croatian midget who clearly wants out. I’m sure Levy will find ways of spending the transfer money of some more lawyers and accountants.

  17. Frank (@sw19fh)
    21/06/2012 @ 12:58 am

    Bastard, made me cry…

  18. car0le melton
    21/06/2012 @ 2:37 am

    Henry made an old girl cry all my liifetime we always have players that everybody after there be one following Luka joining the likes of Greavies BlanchflowerGazza OssieJohnWhite Hoddle waddleKlinsman and many more i forgot. keep young Henry

  19. ArchibaldArrows
    21/06/2012 @ 4:26 am

    I suspect you are a young spur if Modric is the best player you’ve ever seen at Spurs. He’ll do well wherever he goes, but I am not that bothered: no player is bigger that the club. We have lots of creativity in midfield, and I think this would be an opportunity for VdV to play in that position, since he drifts there naturally anyway. Modric also just never scored enough goals for someone in that position. Compare him to Lampard for example. We need more match winners on the team. Definitely a good player, excellent even, but not legend material.

    @BdA Spur: Tommy is a decent player, no more than that. I don’t expect Madrid or Barca to be knocking on our door for him anytime soon… and we need to aim higher if we want to win trophies!

  20. Harry's Longface
    21/06/2012 @ 8:39 am

    Did I really read that poney all the way through…..I must get a life. I’ve never read so much drivel about a player before. Modric is good, right. That’s it, he’s good. He’s not the world beater that a lot of people thinks he is.
    If he WAS………………..he would have dragged us through that dodgy period we had and made sure we got third. Sorry Mr Modric, if you have enough of Spurs then I’ve had enough of you………so move on and let someone who want’s to play for Tottenham have your shirt.

  21. @danielbolden
    21/06/2012 @ 8:53 am

    This is far too much like my current situation with my wife. Sigh.

  22. Gus
    21/06/2012 @ 9:09 am

    He has been a very good player for Spurs, but Hoddle and Gazza in their prime were better. Having said that he has done well for the club and as previously stated if Levy feels it is time to collect let’s send him far far away; I don’t want to feel the way the Arse supporters feel every time Nasri runs out against them so if Madrid or PSG want to pony up with a load of cash so be it. We have an excellent midfield at the moment and while we can’t replace Modric we should be able to acquire a good player to fill his spot (when Hudd isn’t there) for much less money. I always thought Hudd’s defence was not great but his passing was always very good; this shouldn’t be a problem if he’s backed up by Sandro and Parker. Life will go on, now let’s get a manager and start dealing!!! COYS

  23. mattspurs
    21/06/2012 @ 12:22 pm

    i heard he invested in a K”2 scheme in jersey , fckin tax dodger

  24. lilywhitemike
    21/06/2012 @ 12:23 pm

    modric was good but not a patch on ginola.

    • Gus
      21/06/2012 @ 12:58 pm

      I thought about him after I posted. He was a great player and the fans loved him

  25. white football socks
    21/06/2012 @ 1:53 pm

    or clear off ferret face – we want people with loyalty who want to play for Spurs. Proper heros like Perryman, Hoddle and Ginola

  26. M
    21/06/2012 @ 2:10 pm

    Am I the only one who thinks that Tom Huddlestone is an ideal replacement? He’s just as creative (albeit in a differrent way) and, that shot, is something we surely missed last term. Hudd and Sandro in midfield??? Sounds great to me!

  27. Jonty
    21/06/2012 @ 3:48 pm

    Don’t get me wrong, I do like Luka, he looks graceful on the pitch and is a spurs type player. But, I can’t help but put him in the same bracket as Vinny Sideways (although obviously vastly technically superior). He does the simple things well, he rarely gives the ball away, but his passes are generally simple, not incisive in the way hoddles were, and the statistics support the fact that rarely has he put the final ball on a plate for someone to put away, his goal scoring is not up there with the like of Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes – all players who play that forward midfield role, infact I can’t remember him testing too many goalkeepers in the time he has been with us, in short I don’t believe his shot strikes fear into the opposition – in the same way that perhaps Huddlestones does. Personally, I am happy to say good bye and thank you and hopefully we can use at least part of his transfer fee to build in areas we all know we need improvement.

  28. Ben harris
    21/06/2012 @ 5:24 pm

    Really dont get what all the fuss is about to be honest.

    YES he is a very good player, but for someone with such ability – he just dosn’t cut it week in week out. I saw on twiiter a few nights back that he (Modric) is the only truly world class player we have…BEHAVE!!!

    His goal tally is dreadful and his influance in the big games, is knowwhere near enough.

    In fairness he went missing again this year (not for the first time)

    If we receive a good offer – he goes for me. Not as good as what he and obviously a few of you thinks he is!!

    COYS!

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