Soccer:Andre Villas-Boas today ordered Luka Modric to stop meddling in Tottenham's affairs before insisting Gareth Bale will not be joining the Croatian at Real Madrid.
Modric, who moved from Tottenham to Madrid for €35 million last summer, this morning urged his former team-mate to make the same switch to the Spanish capital.
Bale recently admitted he would one day like to play abroad, and Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for the winger as they look to kickstart a campaign in which they sit third in the league, some 11 points behind Barcelona.
Although Bale recently signed a new contract, there is a fear his head could be turned if Real’s players start to court the player in the same way Barcelona did with Cesc Fabregas in 2011. Villas-Boas admitted earlier this week that he expected interest in Bale after the Welshman’s excellent form this season, but today made it clear that the winger is not for sale.
“Obviously Modric is aware of Gareth’s performances because of his love for Tottenham and the fact that he is very connected with him and this football club, but it’s completely impossible (for Bale to leave),” the Tottenham manager told a press conference. “We have to protect our assets regarding our objectives. We have to qualify for the Champions League so in order for that to happen we need players that can make the difference.
“We are not looking to sell.”
Bale recently insisted he is happy at White Hart Lane and there is no suggestion that he will try to force his way out in the same way that Modric did. Revered by the club’s fans for his exquisite displays during the first two years at Spurs, Modric angered the supporters by pushing for a transfer to Chelsea before doing the same the following year when Madrid came calling.
Villas-Boas, who ordered Modric to train on his own after he declared he wanted to move to Spain, made his annoyance clear at the midfielder’s comments regarding Bale, adding: “He should focus more on his club than ours.
“He has to worry about (Madrid’s game against) Atletico Madrid this weekend as they are on top of him. And he has to worry about getting into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as well.”
Villas-Boas’ team have the opportunity to move joint third tomorrow if they beat Fulham and both Chelsea and West Brom lose.
The Portuguese watched the sacking of his friend Roberto Di Matteo with great dismay, and has been a keen observer of events at Stamford Bridge since Rafael Benitez’s highly unpopular appointment as interim manager.
Chelsea’s fans have booed Benitez in both games since he took charge, but Villas-Boas today reminded Blues supporters of what owner Roman Abramovich has brought to the club since he took over in 2003.
“He arrived at the club and changed its future,” said Villas-Boas, who lasted less than nine months as Chelsea boss before Abramovich pulled the trigger. "Back in 2003 when he bought the club, it was not an easy situation for Chelsea. In the end he has put so much up front and changed the fortune of the football club which now has three Premier Leagues, one Champions League and three FA Cups. The roll of honour is outstanding since Abramovich arrived so in the end it is very difficult to balance the situation.
“He is entitled to the changes whenever he wants. Sometimes he sets different patterns to what you expect, certainly with managers recently, but you can’t argue that his tenure hasn’t been successful.”
The Spurs boss has Steven Caulker available for tomorrow’s game after he recovered from illness and he also reported that long-term injury absentees Scott Parker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are expected to return to full training next week.
“They are extremely important for the club so that will be a big boost,” Villas-Boas said.
