For a player that tried so hard to force a move to Stamford Bridge, he probably sits in the Santiago Bernabeu a very relieved man about how it all panned out. Having strenuously tried to force the Spurs hierarchys hand once he became aware of Chelseas interest in 2011, the Croatian playmaker even refused to play in Spurs curtain-raiser against Manchester United, following a string of failed bids. Much to his dismay, the transfer never materialised, with a last-ditch £40 million bid knocked away by a stubborn Daniel Levy. A year later, however, and Luka Modric was a Galactico, with Real Madrid having agreed a £33 million deal for the Spurs playmaker. While his debut season was just short of a nightmare, failing to make much of an impact under Jose Mourinho and branded a flop by certain sections of the Spanish media, the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti the following season signalled a vast turnaround in fortunes. Modric became one of the cornerstones of the Madrid side, as the club stormed to a hallowed La Decima victory. Mourinho has stated that he has since tried to woo Modric to Stamford Bridge, but it would appear that the ship seems to have sailed on that front.
''I called Modric only privately but he doesnt want Chelsea. You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities. But he stays in Real Madrid. - Jose Mourinho, July 2014.
Maybe he never truly had his heart set on the Blues after all?
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
