Redknapp: Modric did not force a Chelsea move

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he may have sold Luka Modric to Chelsea this summer had the Croatian become a disruptive influence within the Spurs squad.

Modric was at the centre of a summer-long fight between Spurs and Chelsea, with the Blues making at least three unsuccessful bids for the playmaker – the last reported to be £40million.

Modric made it clear that he wanted to move to Stamford Bridge, and refused to play in the club’s game against Manchester United, claiming he was not psychologically ready to play after months of uncertainty about his future.

The Croatian has knuckled down since the transfer window shut, however, putting in a series of impressive performances to help Spurs put together the four-match winning streak which has seen them turn their season around after a dismal start.

Like Modric, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez wanted to leave his club this summer, but he was also denied a move after talks with Brazilian side Corinthians fell through.

Tevez’s relationship with his club has deteriorated rapidly since, with the low point coming two weeks ago when he allegedly refused to come off the bench to play for City in their Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

Redknapp thinks Modric would never resort to such tactics, but admits that if he did, he would almost certainly have had to sanction the midfielder’s sale.

“It couldn’t have gone that way with Luka. He wouldn’t refuse to come on the pitch or do anything like that,” Redknapp said.

“He wouldn’t dream of coming in and disrupting training. If he had have done he may well have got away. If he had been a nasty person and been disruptive he may well have got his move. In the end I might have said to the chairman ‘This can’t go on, we don’t need it’.

“The more disruptive players are, sometimes it forces it (a move).

“You spend half your time looking at them, who else they’re dragging down with them. He has close friends here. If he’d wanted to be a nuisance I am sure he could have been, but it’s just not in his nature, he’s not that type of lad.”