Harry Redknapp's Line In The Sand
By Graham MacAree Aug 26, 2011, 4:31am BST
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So, at least one person (nominally) in the know about the Luka Modric situation rather disagrees with the Telegraph's belligerent interpretation of the Croatian midfielder's meeting with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy. That person is none other than Spurs coach Harry Redknapp, who is so involved that he thinks there was a meeting. Probably. Maybe:
Yeah, I think [the Modric saga] is finished. He'll be playing on Sunday for sure. I think there was a meeting. Daniel just said the same thing - he's not for sale. It's been difficult for him but we want him to stay and he will stay. He'll train tomorrow and Saturday and should be fit for Sunday.
He could have kicked up and been a problem and if he had done it would have been difficult to keep him. If players want to be destructive they can be but he's not got that in his nature. He'll stay and play and will be great as he has been every other year.
-Source: ESPN Soccernet.
I don't know if Redknapp meant to do this, but he's essentially just drawn himself and his club a line in the sand regarding the Modric saga. Although we won't know for sure which way this is going until August 31st passes by without incident (and our esteemed friends over at Cartilage Free Captain have mentioned that there would still be some 'Cesc s***' going on anyway*) or Modric actually shows up to be presented at Stamford Bridge, now that Redknapp has insisted that he'll play against Manchester City we have a neat little litmus test for figuring out how likely any deal is to go through.
*LONDON DNA!!!!1
It's simple: If he plays, he's highly unlikely to come to Chelsea, and if he doesn't he's actually kicking up a fuss, despite all of the comments out of Tottenham's camp and will most probably move. In other words, we'll have most of our answer as to Modric's destination well before the transfer deadline closes (and blissful rest ensues) on Wednesday at 11:00 PM GMT. I for one can't wait - although I think Modric is an excellent player and would love to have him on the team (but not for £40M!), this thing has gone on for far too long and I would really like it to go away now. I imagine fans on both sides feel more or less the same.
Time for a poll, I think...
Official: Chelsea sign Enzo Fernández from Benfica