First, to answer the direct criticisms. He doesn't score goals - he scored a total of three goals in the League last season. In the past season, Modric often played as one of the central midfielders in a 4-4-2 with Bale and Lennon often providing the width on either side. His role is not that of scoring goals but of linking with the player dropping off the striker (Van Der Vaart or Defoe) and feeding the wingers. In fact, in certain games he even plays deeper than Huddlestone so as to get more time on the ball. This also partly explains his lack of assists. He is crucial to the build up play but very often isn't the one to make the final pass. As someone put it, his job is often to assist the assister. Another explanation for a measly two assists for Spurs last season could be the wastefulness of the strikers. In one particular video compilation I saw Modric glide past two players, put Defoe through on goal, only for him to blast way over.
I went through Guardian chalkboards looking at Modric's passes last season. The chalkboard copied below is that of Tottenham playing Blackpool at home where Modric partnered Sandro in central midfield.
by Guardian Chalkboards
Admittedly, Blackpool at home was one of his easier games but even when his team has much lower possession against teams like Manchester United the basic characteristic of his play remains the same. One way of putting it is perhaps that he is all over the place in a good way. John Obi Mikel, another undervalued player, also plays short simple passes but his duty is defensive and he doesn't beat players with skill or venture up the pitch. Modric adds a certain amount of flair to that simplicity and just as Mikel gives Chelsea a base to build on from the back Modric has the capability to take the building process higher up the pitch where there is potential for greater returns.
Modric's other great asset, as readily apparent from the video above is his ability to go past players. And what exactly does Modric accomplish when he takes on (and beats) players? He essentially disrupts the opponents defensive shape and frees up space which other players can move into and exploit. Last season for example, the space was often exploited by Van Der Vaart dropping into midfield. Chelsea's forwards were often nullified because they were tightly man marked by opposing defenders and there was no player capable of creating that space for them.
Lets take stock of the current Chelsea team. Mikel and Essien (injured for 6 months anyway) are solid but a bit predictable. Lampard is a goal scoring midfielder who likes getting into the box and Ramires mostly plays simple passes back or sideways or tries scuttling across the right. None of these players have the ability to generate possession closer to the opponent's box. Modric is capable of this - take note of the large number of short passes he played high up the pitch against Blackpool. Compare this with Mikel and Essien against the same opposition.
by Guardian Chalkboards
by Guardian Chalkboards
Note that Mikel sits much deeper and tries longer passes up the pitch and the majority of Essien's passes are in his own half as well. This is in a game which Chelsea dominated as (for once) Holloway took the defensive approach whereas Modric's chart was from an open game with much fairer distribution of possession.
I feel Modric is just the player Chelsea need. With less of a defensive burden (assuming we won't be playing 4-4-2) I think we can get even more out of him. Freed from the defensive responsibilities of being a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 he might become a more devastating player. The consequences of a central midfielder losing the ball higher up the pitch can be a quick counter with the defence exposed. Presumably, with Mikel protecting the back four, Modric won't have to worry about that.
Very often last season I saw Chelsea struggle to break down the opposition due to a complete lack of inspiration in the build up play. We'd get the ball to the one of the flanks and not know what to do with it. I believe Modric a.k.a 'little Mozart' can help us with that. Looking forward to seeing him in blue next season, assuming Mr.Levy et al. oblige.
I went through Guardian chalkboards looking at Modric's passes last season. The chalkboard copied below is that of Tottenham playing Blackpool at home where Modric partnered Sandro in central midfield.
by Guardian Chalkboards
Admittedly, Blackpool at home was one of his easier games but even when his team has much lower possession against teams like Manchester United the basic characteristic of his play remains the same. One way of putting it is perhaps that he is all over the place in a good way. John Obi Mikel, another undervalued player, also plays short simple passes but his duty is defensive and he doesn't beat players with skill or venture up the pitch. Modric adds a certain amount of flair to that simplicity and just as Mikel gives Chelsea a base to build on from the back Modric has the capability to take the building process higher up the pitch where there is potential for greater returns.
Modric's other great asset, as readily apparent from the video above is his ability to go past players. And what exactly does Modric accomplish when he takes on (and beats) players? He essentially disrupts the opponents defensive shape and frees up space which other players can move into and exploit. Last season for example, the space was often exploited by Van Der Vaart dropping into midfield. Chelsea's forwards were often nullified because they were tightly man marked by opposing defenders and there was no player capable of creating that space for them.
Lets take stock of the current Chelsea team. Mikel and Essien (injured for 6 months anyway) are solid but a bit predictable. Lampard is a goal scoring midfielder who likes getting into the box and Ramires mostly plays simple passes back or sideways or tries scuttling across the right. None of these players have the ability to generate possession closer to the opponent's box. Modric is capable of this - take note of the large number of short passes he played high up the pitch against Blackpool. Compare this with Mikel and Essien against the same opposition.
by Guardian Chalkboards
by Guardian Chalkboards
Note that Mikel sits much deeper and tries longer passes up the pitch and the majority of Essien's passes are in his own half as well. This is in a game which Chelsea dominated as (for once) Holloway took the defensive approach whereas Modric's chart was from an open game with much fairer distribution of possession.
I feel Modric is just the player Chelsea need. With less of a defensive burden (assuming we won't be playing 4-4-2) I think we can get even more out of him. Freed from the defensive responsibilities of being a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 he might become a more devastating player. The consequences of a central midfielder losing the ball higher up the pitch can be a quick counter with the defence exposed. Presumably, with Mikel protecting the back four, Modric won't have to worry about that.
Very often last season I saw Chelsea struggle to break down the opposition due to a complete lack of inspiration in the build up play. We'd get the ball to the one of the flanks and not know what to do with it. I believe Modric a.k.a 'little Mozart' can help us with that. Looking forward to seeing him in blue next season, assuming Mr.Levy et al. oblige.
