It is being reported at both Goal.com and Net.hr that Tottenham is willing to sell any of their players this summer except for Jonathan Woodgate, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.
Of course this is just a business move by Spurs management to lure interest from other clubs across Europe, but do they really have the guts to sell Luka Modrić or Vedran Ćorluka?
Should Tottenham actually complete the selling of a Croatian; where would you like to see Vedran or Luka play?
I’d like to see them go to Bayern Munich and join Olić and Pranjić. Then the next step is to replace Bayern’s T-Com sponsorship with Karlovačko. Anyone with me? (I’m kidding of course.)
Tottenham 1 – Barca 1
Not bad for Tottenham to tie with the best club in the world.
I hear Corluka may be going to Bayern Munchen.
I heard Beckham is coming to Tottenham. He wants to be home (London) so he can be in WC2010. Man U is out as is Man City.
Spurs are chit n e ways.
ARSENAL TILL I DIE!!!!
That would be a great result, no doubt. I have to find those jerseys.
I'd be happy just to see Croatia play these world elites and only lose by 2-3 goals right now…
@ Ante – I am all for baby steps, but, wow, you mentioned some of the International elite there.
@ Radman,
No kidding that the hockey team isn't known my mainstream Croatian fans. I can only hope they can one day 'compete' with the likes of Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Russia. Baby steps.
Anything would much be appreciated. Doesn't have t be long at all. Take your time on it. I wouldn't run it for another two weeks anyways. I want to see what happens with Klasnic, Pletikosa and Srna first.
@ Ante Kvartuč – Honestly, I would love to add more, give me some time to dig through everything I have saved. I dont know what you had in mind as far as a story goes. Again, keeping with brutal honesty here, nobody else on this site knew they had a team, so, you can imagine how far down the pecking order Croatian Hockey is in main stream Croatian press. I literally have to dig for any information I can find, also, have maybe watched only half an hour of actual live play. Its impossible to find anything since the team is still in its relative infancy. When i return tonight I will try and include some more stories I have saved over the years.
All the best from Toronto
At work, so, cant talk to long. Check out Sportnet.hr from there you can look at all their hockey related material. I hate having to use Wikki as a source, but, they do have some information about the Croatian mens hockey team.
This is a link from the IIHF website.
The Jerseys are pretty sweet.
http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/countries/croatia.html
This is interesting I had no idea they even had a Ice Hockey team! This is cool~ I wonder how their jerseys look?
@ Peter Radman,
Send me some info on the hockey team and I'll put up a post. I never new we had one.
Original story and content would be fantastic!
@ Marko – They do have an Ice Hockey team. Like I said earlier, a friend writes for the sporting news, he told me that apparently there is a pretty good Croatian Kid playing in Europe that may be on his way to the NHL. I will post something tomorrow when I get a chance to speak to him and get the kids name.
Does Croatia have an Ice Hockey team? That would be cool. lol
I hope he moves into the role which the Avs have offered. I could see him moving along the same path as Steve Yzerman and Joe Nieuendyk (How ever you spell his last name) Assitant to the GM, learn the ropes for 2-3 years and then take over the job.
Bayern will be potent like no other if Modric goes there to play along side Olic, Pranjic, Klose, Gomez, Schweinsteiger, Ribery…that would be amazing. To complete the team, Corluka would be good with Bayern too.
Maybe another reason why Srna likes to stay at Donetsk is because of the Ukrainian babes. <3
I'm pretty sure Sakic is full blooded Croat. I read his bio years ago. I'm sure he'll move into management.
@ Dinamofan – I agree, Man U would be the first choice, this coming from an Arsenal Fan. However, I would love to see him at Bayern, Ateltico Madrid, Sevilla or Valencia. Watching Luka linking up with Aguero and Forlan would be awesome.
@ Slaven – Like you, I do not trust Goal.com, its 99 percent rubbish, I am always weary of Goal.com rumors. However, even if you go back to Redknapps days in Portsmouth, one day he was praising Niko, the next made it seem that anyone can take him as long as they pay up. I think hes infatuated with the true English game and does not care for continental players that actually posses technique.
With regards to Srna. yes, it is true that time in the Ukraine has not diminished his game. However, if he doesnt move now, when he is in hims prime, odds are he will never move to a major European Power. You only get one shot at it, opportunities to join European elite dont happen every day, thats why so seize it when its there.
As for Joe Sakic, not totally sure if one or both parents are Croatian. A friend of mine writes for the sporting news, he claims that there is a Croatian, born in Croatian that is on NHL radars. Apparently the kid is pretty good as well. I have been looking everywhere for the Croatian National Hockey Jersey. Found one site, but it seems like a fake.
Srna is doing fine if he decides to stay in the Ukraine. He won a UEFA cup and playing with Shaktar sure has not ruined his form with the national team.
It's all about money. There are only a few clubs in Europe that can pay him what he is currently making with Shaktar. Would it be nice to see him at a big club playing in the QF or SF of the Cmapions League? Sure it would, but the game of soccer is about money.
That's news to me about Joe Sakic. He's the only reason I watched hockey. He was in a league of his own in his prime. He was on fire in the 2002 olympics too. I thought both of his parents are Hrvat? Just like basketball, I stopped watching it after Michael Jordan retired. Joe's a class act and I hope he enjoys his golfing. I read he's a great golfer.
What's new with Pletikosa? Last I heard, Hamburg was interested.
I think Srna is the kind of player that doesn't need to be challenged by a better league to bring out his game more. He's 100% no matter who he faces. He is the captain at SD too, so that's another bonus for him.
Petar, thanks for the news on Redknapp's thoughts. Perhaps this is not just another goal.com rumour. Maybe AC Milan can pick him up? Or maybe Wolfsburg, if the sell the Bosanac.
What is even more troubling is Dario Srna admitting publicly today that he is not opposed to staying in the Ukraine. This is just as I feared. The same thing happened 2 years ago when he was on the verge of moving, Billionaire owner bumps up his weekly pay packet and he is content in making more money rather than challenging himself and playing for one of the best European Clubs.
@ Marko – One of the saddest days of my life. I grew up a Quebec Nordique fan, became an Avalanche fan when they moved to Denver. Joe Sakic is on of the classiest professionals to play any sport. He was in Croatia last summer attending the wedding of Marek Svatos. Before that there were pictures of him circulating around the net with Joe and his young son at center ice holding a Croatian scarf. Hockey is dead to me now.
Also, off topic, but back to Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka. Harry Redknapp was quoted as saying today that Tottenham cannot compete financially. If he gets a decent sum for any player, he will sell. Aside from the three Englishmen (Lennon, Woodgate and Jenas) who he believes can walk on water.
So fellas hear about Joe Sakic retiring? He is half Croatian (parents are) and fluent in the language. Magnificent NHL career and defintely a first ballot hall of famer. One of the greatest forwards to play the game in any era.
@Matt
Of course I hope we beat England but if we get the draw against them we should be okay. That would leave England with 22 points. If England were to lose their next 2 after that and Ukraine were to win the rest of their matches, England would finish second in the group and risk losing in the playoffs. This outcome is extremely improbable but anything can happen and England probably wouldn't want to risk it.
So basically if we get a draw against England they will probably be forced to play well enough to get at least a draw against Ukraine….in which case we would hopefully go through to the playoffs on goal difference assuming Croatia and Ukraine both win the rest of their matches with the exception of their matches against England.
You can't judge a player on you tube. You seen the one of Diddy Guela. Whoever made that is a masterclass editor. Modric is a quality player but youtube is not the best way to judge.
This trade rumor is BS anyways, I'm sure.
I'd rather google image search Nives Celzijus instead. 😮
I 100% agree with Ante. Ziva is getting a bit of stick here, but i think he's right on this one. Modric struggled in the first 10 games.. Why .. cos he had Jermane Jenas playing alongside him with no defensive midfielder in the team. You can't say he coped straight away with the physical nature as Spurs midfield was like stopping a knife with tracing paper at the start of season. However that's partly down to Ramos's ineptitude. Modric cannot be a defensive mid and is naturally gonna struggle if a coach does that to him. Also its simple that if HNL plays 30 something games and English teams play 38 premier matches plus another 10 or 20 euro and cup games that this is gonna take more out of a guy thats not use to it. I'm telling you in England if your at a top club you'll play till your ground down to the floor. Its partly why i'm having withdrawal symptoms this summer as am so use to football being on every day. La Roux can only keep me entertained for so long.
Modric will be better this year – but if he goes to a top club then he'd be a "stud":)
eh moj mali….I never said Modric had no skill, just did not show it all the time…A stud comes to play every game.
You can point to the Chelsea match and I will point to the other numerous matches where he was invisible. It fits the pattern that I mentioned earlier…He played great one game and then nothing the next 2 or 3 games.
But, if that is a stud to you, then sobeit.
Know this,
Modric had a horrible start to his Englaish career as Tottenham was in shambles. Juan Ramos was sacked and Spurs started the season in the basemant of the Premiership.
Modric had no idea what he got into with the English league. He was small and the opposing defenses came at him hard. I'll let his first season count as a mulligan.
Now let's see what he can do in 2009-10 as he is fully acclimated.
Who scored against Chelsea? Who gave Ronaldo a clinic after he called him out for diving and drama? Who scored against Ukraine? Who was the best player in the club? Sound studly to you? It sure does to me.
Give your head a shake, brother. So you think that the Spurs going up 10 steps in the EPL table from last year is nothing? They were so close to being relegated.
You've got your head wrapped around what the critics said BEFORE he came to the EPL. Now that he's been there and done that, the results are there. Youtube Modric if you don't care to remember his game. Even when he is double teamed he can still come through with at least a throw in.
He'll be a stud wherever he goes. This is Redknapp's loss, with all due respect to him. I doubt they'll do any better next year.
If you still disagree, please be sure to define your definition of stud. Don't bother to compare with players who's stats were padded with penalty kicks.
Slaven….if you consider Modric's play this year to be that of a "stud" then I really have to wonder how much soccer you have watched in your life.
Spurs struggled with him and without him in the line up. Are they a better squad when he plays? Sure, no questions. But his play was above average this year. His critics said he would have trouble with the more physical play in the EPL and they were correct. When he had time, he was great…grear passed and vision. But when he was tightly marked he was unable to escape and make the needed passes. If that is a stud to you, then "boze moj."
First,
everyone is entitled to their own unique opinions here at CSR.
Second,
no F-bombs and no name calling.
We are all here to learn from each other.
@Živa Istina
Feel free to comment as many times as your heart desires.
"Ziva Istina is correct though, if you follow the EPL you can see that Corluka was okay this year, definitely not as good as when he was at Man City. I will cut him some slack though, Spurs went through allot of problems throughout the year.With Palacios holding the middle of the park, Corluka seemed much more at ease."
I agree. Only good things will come from Carli and Luka playing together at Tottenham…
Modric is a stud. Check the highlights and come back and comment. He also adapted quickly to the physical english style of play. His passes are brilliant, he's a great play maker. He'll raise any team up to a good level, as he did with Tottenham.
Corluka could have done better in his last 2 club games and last national game.
I went to goal.com, so what is your point….
I'll stand by what i said…Modirc did not live up to what was expected from him last year. It was his first year and some players need time to adopt to new surroundings. Studs do not, Modric is not a stud, but he is a very good player. If Modric was a stud (as many thought he would be) then he would have been a differance-maker right away. He will still have a very good career and would shine if he had some talent arround him.
Modric and Corluka were decent last year considering the absolute mess at Spurs and ultimately were amongst the players that pulled the team together. I think people shouldn't have expected too much from Modric last season as the number of matches and energy required in England was totally new to him compared to in Croatia. Anyone who walks into somewhere without knowing what's going on takes a while to work it out. Modric didn't know his teammates game or anything. Also Modric is an unusual player. I would say there is hardly any players as small and light framed as Modric (even Xavi and Iniesta have more muscle on them than Luka) – most other players are able to use their strength and physique to get into the game. Modric would be better at another club – i'd say the reason Spurs would sell him is not as they don't want him. Its as they spent silly amounts of money on not only first team players but players that don't make their team and they decided they cannot keeping buying until they sell. Modric is their most sellable and gifted player. That is fact. The players they actually want to keep Woodgate who has a dosgy injury record – Lennon and Defoe cannot hold down a place in their national side. If they got 15m for Modric it would readdress their finances and allow for a spending spree. They probably also want Giovanni, Pavyulchenko, Bale, Hutton and Bent out the club mainly and are trying to let clubs know that they can take them. I hope Modric gets a move to Italy or Man Utd though. Even Liverpool would be right for Modric. He just needs to get himself to a top 4 club and if it happens this summer that'd be great. We all know Man Utd will have to buy some creative midfielder this summer. I mean who do they have – can't play Giggs and Scholes as this is not 2002.
@ DinamoFan – I was thinking the same thing as well, hoping that Man U would make a push for Modric. To be honest, I am really starting to hate Harry Redknapp. One moment he is praising Luka, the next he makes it clear that he can leave if he gets a good sum of money back for him. Luka had a good year at Spurs, i thought he wasnt playing with full confidence though, you can see that he was hesitant to shoot or take opponents on.
Ziva Istina is correct though, if you follow the EPL you can see that Corluka was okay this year, definitely not as good as when he was at Man City. I will cut him some slack though, Spurs went through allot of problems throughout the year.With Palacios holding the middle of the park, Corluka seemed much more at ease.
go on goal.com and go 2 spurs player of the year.. ziva istina and u'll see wht most people think bout luka modric.. f-ing retard
Hej Andrej……Well, what did I exactly say that is untrue? Maybe I am not a homer like you, but if you look at it, what is there to be positive about regarding the domestic soccer league?
on other topics…..Corluka was very average last season. Anyone who watches the EPL can see that.
While not fault of his own, much more was expected from Modric last year considering the transfer fee that was paid for him.
So, again, what is untrue about any of this.
i hope Modric does move and joins Man Utd. I think its very realistic as Man Utd is lack in the creative midfield area. Personally i think Modric needs to leave Spurs. I don't think that club will reach the level that Modric should be playing at which is Champions League. If Modric goes to Manchester United that'd be fantastic. Or Milan or Inter or Juve all is good. The fact Spurs make such a statement that all there players are up for sale really creates uncertainty. I think Corluka's there for the season though.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1077272.html#capello+injuries+concern
saw an article on fifa.com with capello, and he basically says if they qualify by next game which is with us, they will most likely experiment for the rest of the game, meaning we have to beat them
LOL. I agree that Modric needs to be around more talent to bring out his game more.
ziva istina i dont know why you come on here and talk you should go to crvena or patrizan website and go compliment them because only things you ever write in here about any croatia team or player is never positive! so go f yourself
Corluka did not impress last year. His first year at Man City was better than last year at Tottenham.
Modric had his ups and downs in his first year. I think he would be better suited in another league or on another team in the EPL with more talent around him.
Modric is a very nice player, but he is not a stud.
That's shocking news. I'm not sure why Redknapp would want to build the team around those 3 either. Hopefully the Croat duo will remain together when they go to a new club that is more of a champions league contender.
i wanna see vedran in arsenal, we need right defender… but tot`ham`s footballer in arsenal… hm-m-m…
full of jokes on the last paragraph.