Modric backed for key role

Modric: Corluka backing

Related links

Teams

• Tottenham Hotspur

Players

• Vedran Corluka
• Luka Modric

Also see

• Transfer Centre
• Clockwatch
• Papers
• Your View
• Betting

Luka Modric has been backed to emerge as a key figure for Tottenham this season by Spurs and Croatia team-mate Vedran Corluka.

Modric was one of many Spurs players to struggle in the opening weeks of last season before showing flashes of his undoubted talent once Harry Redknapp took charge.

Redknapp guided Spurs to the Carling Cup final and an eventual eighth place finish and has set his sights on further improvements this season.

Defender Corluka believes the 24-year-old former Dynamo Zagreb playmaker will be a key figure for the White Hart Lane club this term.

"It was difficult at the start because it was his first time playing in England and nobody in the team was playing well at that point," he told the club's official website.

Ability

"When the team started to play well he showed why he is one of the best young midfielders in the world.

"Hopefully he will be even better next season because he knows how other teams play against us and the surroundings, so it will be a lot easier."

Corluka added: "It is hard for a foreign player at first because everything is so much faster than in other leagues, as well as the physical strength.

"But after half a season, you are used to these things. If you have the same ability of the other players, then eventually you should be able to compete."