To follow up on a discussion I had with Fred and Red.
Redknapp hails 'bargain' Modric and denies rift with Sunderland
Harry Redknapp has paid tribute to the impact Luka Modric has made in his debut season in the Premier League, saying the Croatian is good enough to play for any club in the world. However, the Tottenham Hotspur manager has no intention of cashing in on the midfielder, even if he has turned the head of arguably the keenest eye for talent in the game.
"Alex Ferguson said to me after the game last week that he thought Modric was fantastic," said Redknapp yesterday, referring to the Carling Cup final against Ferguson's Manchester United. "He changed how they played because of him. [Ferguson] said: 'I took [John] O'Shea off and changed our system because Modric was causing us so many problems.'" Redknapp, in the past almost dismissive of his predecessor Juande Ramos's time at the club, hailed the Spaniard's £16.5m signing of Modric as a bargain.
"I think he could play for anyone, he's that good. He's a fantastic footballer, amazing player, great brain," he said. "Not only is he a great footballer, he's strong, he works for the team, takes knocks and gets on with it." The Croatia international has started 23 of Tottenham's 27 league games to date but Redknapp said he still does not know the 23-year-old's best position.
"I don't know, really. I played him off the front, I've played him wide left and he plays central in a 4-4-2. Against Stoke he was fantastic in the middle of the park, against a physical team, and he was the best player on the pitch that night.
"It's all right having a team that can pass but sooner or later you have to give the ball to someone who can do something, like Man United with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez," he added. " They have got people who can suddenly kill you and that's important. Modric is that type for me, he is important."
Redknapp is pleased with the effect Robbie Keane's return has had in the dressing room, reiterating his surprise that Liverpool were willing to sell the striker and suggesting that if he had thought it was possible Tottenham would not have made a bid for Kenwyne Jones in January. ThatRedknapp's approach for Kenwyne Jones in January riled Ricky Sbragia, the Sunderland manager, whom Redknapp faces tomorrow for the first time, with the Black Cats' manager saying it was wrong that Tottenham "make sure the whole world knows" when they want a player.
Redknapp dismissed suggestions of any lingering ill will between the clubs. "I will see Ricky and have a glass of wine with him [today]. It's not a problem. I think Niall [Quinn, Sunderland chairman] was quite pleased they got a big offer for one of their players. I saw Niall last week at Ars*enal and had a cup of tea with him. We had a chat and I get on well with Niall Quinn and Ricky Sbragia."
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No way will he sell him. Not soon, that is. I just hope he sticks with him in the middle as that is by far his best position on the pitch.