For the first time in a few months it will not be Rafael Van der Vaart’s or Gareth Bale’s names echoing around White Hart lane at the full time whistle; it will be Luka Modric’s. He delivered an absolute master class this afternoon against a woeful Blackburn side. Modric has been deployed in a slightly deeper position this season where he has been able to pull the strings for Spurs.
It is his 3rd season in north London and he is starting to look every inch the player he was expected to be when he was signed from Dinamo Zagreb. He took some time to get used to the physical side of the English game which took slightly longer than anticipated. However, now sitting behind Van der Vaart he is able to pull the strings and dictate the pace with which Spurs attack. This afternoon he was everywhere, he broke up attacks and then distributed with immaculate accuracy and precision.
In this deeper role he is more protected (by either Huddlestone or Jenas) and is able to break forward with more freedom. In previous seasons he has played further forward which meant he was always confronted by the defensive midfielder or centre back almost immediately. Now that they have outlets on both wings he has more options and is even capable of advancing with the ball and threatening the goal himself.
At a time when Manchester United are desperately seeking a replacement for Paul Scholes it maybe dangerous for Spurs if Modric continues to excel in this position but they will be more than happy if he does.
No comments:
Post a Comment