Soccer:Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has criticised midfielder Luka Modric as rumours of a departure from the club intensify. Modric looked set to quit Spurs for Chelsea a year ago under the then management of Harry Redknapp, and this summer appears keen on a switch to Spanish champions Real Madrid.

Reports have suggested that the Croatia international has failed to travel with Spurs on the tour of the United States — something Villas-Boas has alluded to in the Spanish press today. Speaking to AS, he is reported as saying: “I think Modric is wrong. This will go against him. He has worsened the situation with what he’s doing and now the chairman (Daniel Levy) is very angry.

“This is also not a good time for Daniel Levy, who is in the USA at the moment, because his wife is ill.”

Villas-Boas also admitted Modric would be a major loss if he leaves Spurs. “He’s good, very good,” he added. “I tried to sign him last summer for Chelsea. He will be a big loss. He’s a player who can make the difference, who gives a lot of clarity to the play when the team needs it and who can play in several positions,” he said.