Spurs Croatian Sensations Modric and Kranjcar
In 1978 the then Tottenham Hotspurs Manager Keith Burkinshaw indulged in what was a brave move at the time by investing in two Agentinian stars in Ozzie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.The risk being that foreign players traditionally struggled with the unique English game.Plus the lack of English for the two players was seen as a huge drawback.
Though despite the critics these two proved outstanding players for Tottenham with Ardiles in particular in partnership with Glenn Hoddle in the Spurs midfield making them into one of the most beautiful sides to watch in the English game.Then aside from the beauty,one of the most succesful being constant threats in the League and winning the FA Cup back to back in 81.82.Symbolically in the 81 replay against Manchester City Villa scoring what was judged as the goal of the century at Wembley.As seen below:
Both Spurs hero inducted into the Tottenham Hall of Fame in 2008....
So roll on some 23 years to 2011 and it seems that Spurs have taken a back to the future prose with two foreign players replicating these great Argentinian deeds.
These in the form of the exceptional Croatian duo of Luka Modric and Niko Krancjar
Both like their Argentinian predecessors have been overwhelming successes at Spurs.In particular Modric under the tutelage of Spurs Manager Harry Redknapp. Who has employed him as an attacking midfielder making him into a compelling influence in the League and arguably one of the best midfielders in the EPL.Such has been his success in this role with his scope of passing,vision and eye for a goal it prompted this response from Harry Redknapp.
"I wouldn't want to sell him for £100million, not even for a billion.
"He's the hub of the team."
GeoSuper