“Perhaps I Shouldn’t Have Said It Publicly” says Modric on Chelsea Snub
Luka Modric has revealed that his failed 2011 move to Chelsea ended up shaping the greatest chapter of his career. The Croatian midfielder, now at AC Milan, admitted that his public push to leave Tottenham was a mistake but insists the setback ultimately led him to Real Madrid glory.
Chelsea launched several bids for Modric in the summer of 2011 after he made clear he wanted to switch London clubs. Tottenham rejected every offer, with chairman Daniel Levy taking a firm stance during negotiations. Modric stayed at Spurs for one more season, then joined Real Madrid in 2012. What followed became one of the most decorated careers of the modern era: 28 major trophies, a Ballon d’Or in 2018, and 13 seasons as the heartbeat of Madrid’s midfield.
Speaking on the Neuspjeh prvaka show, Modric reflected on the saga with unusual candor. He said that going public about his desire to leave “perhaps” was the wrong move but stressed he still gave everything to Tottenham. He recalled his meeting with Levy, describing the chairman as “very tough” and “crystal clear” that a sale to Chelsea was impossible. The rivalry between the clubs and the fact both were London-based only added to the tension.
Modric admitted he still wanted the move at the time, even knowing the obstacles. But once the transfer collapsed, he focused on performing. He said it turned out to be one of his best individual seasons as Spurs finished fourth while Chelsea went on to win the Champions League.
The midfielder’s comments peel back a long-debated story. Would Modric’s career have taken the same trajectory had Chelsea succeeded with their pursuit? Tottenham fans often recall how vital he was in that final season, while Chelsea supporters wonder what might have been had he arrived a year earlier. His own reflection suggests the failure unlocked a far bigger opportunity. Real Madrid were rebuilding their midfield in 2012, and Modric became the foundation for an era of dominance that included multiple European titles.
For Spurs, the refusal to sell to a domestic rival reinforced their stance in the transfer market. For Modric, it meant delaying his dream move for 12 months. But the delayed path delivered far more than a Premier League switch would have offered. His Ballon d’Or triumph remains one of the most unlikely individual stories in modern football, and it is difficult to picture that happening had he stayed in England.
Modric had joined Tottenham in 2008 from Dinamo Zagreb for £16.5 million. He made over 150 appearances for the club, becoming one of the Premier League’s most admired midfielders before heading to Madrid. His success in Spain reached historic levels, as he lifted Champions League titles, La Liga crowns, Club World Cups and more. Only a handful of players in modern football history have matched his trophy haul.
Looking back, Modric believes the path he never planned was the one that changed everything. He said that if he had joined Chelsea in 2011, he probably would not have ended up at Real Madrid. Now in the final stretch of his career at AC Milan, his story stands as a reminder that blocked transfers sometimes open doors no one sees coming.