Luka Modric admits to struggling at Real Madrid after being voted worst La Liga signing of the season The Croatian playmaker completed a €35 million move to the Primera Division champions after spending four years at Tottenham, but he has struggled to hold down a first-team place under head coach Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese has recently criticised the 27-year-old for his inconsistent displays and gained 32.2 per cent of the vote in the worst signing poll, just ahead of Alex Song. Modric responded in Croatian newspaper Sportske, saying: "This is Real Madrid. I understand there is great pressure for new signings to succeed here. I'm not making excuses, I am not that kind of person, but it is very challenging to adapt to life at a big club like Madrid. I have had a few good performances, if not in every game, but I believe that I can prove I have something to offer. Modric has only started eight league games for the capital club, scoring just one goal as Madrid bid to close a daunting 16-point gap on league leaders Barcelona.