Luka Modric’s ‘Flop’ Claims at Tottenham Hotspur Contradicted by Ex-Teammate

Luka Modric’s career has been nothing less than successful. But his initial years at Tottenham failed to impress multiple fans who addressed him as a flop. However, the Croatian’s impact after joining Real Madrid is considered one of the biggest in the era. Meanwhile, his former teammate Aaron Lennon reveals how he has been exceptional even during his yesteryears with Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur, during the 2000s, was still finding ways to improve in the Premier League. Their last major trophy, apart from the English League Cup, was the 1991 FA Cup. Therefore, Modric, on his arrival at the club, had a lot of burden on his shoulders to scale them up.

Aaron Lennon appreciated Luka Modric’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

Notably, Luka Modric was initially struggling to adapt to the new place. Criticized for lack of fitness and performance, they considered the star below par in the English Premier League. But his former winger teammate at Tottenham has a distinct opinion. Lennon said, “See, he’s the only two players I’ve played with from the middle of the park who could run a whole game. So Modric would slow it down when you needed, speed it up when you needed, and keep the ball when we needed.”

Lennon emphasized the midfielder’s ability to control the game. The Croatian’s ability to read the game situation and anticipate opposition moves took well to the Madrid faithful. Later, he became a central part of the Los Blancos midfield, but his initial years were always filled with criticism. The player did not meet expectations and hardly managed to score any goals. But the 38-year-old started picking up his playmaking skills after finishing the 2008–2009 season with nine assists in the Premier League.

Luka Modric arrived at Spurs for a club-record signing of approximately $21 million in 2008. But the star leveled up his play and became untouchable in the middle with excellent link-up play and ball passing. Lennon also says that Modric improved so much in the last season that he became unstoppable.

Modric’s exceptional career after leaving Tottenham Hotspur

Yet, the player could not win any trophies in London. Luka Modric arrived at Real Madrid in 2012 for a $35 million deal for five years. Initially deemed the biggest flop signing of the season, Modric went on to become one of the most successful players for the club. The player was the only player in the last decade to beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or.

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The Croatian won five UEFA Champions League trophies in under ten years. After playing more than 500 games, the star has scored 37 times for Los Blancos and provided 77 assists. The player also won five club World Cups and three La Liga titles. Ultimately, despite being called out, Luka Modric was one of Madrid’s most successful signings of the last decade. Do you think Aaron Lennon is right?

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