IVANOVIC HAILS MODRIC

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric needs to play for a much bigger club than Tottenham.

He has also recommended that the Croatian should choose Chelsea over any other club interested in securing his services at the moment due to the fact that he is much more essential for the London club.

Chelsea came extremely close to securing the signature of the 26-year-old Croatian midfielder last season, but Tottenham refused to sell him even for a last ditch offer of £ 40 million from the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Even though the Chelsea have not been linked with the Tottenham midfielder as much as they have been last season, it is still thought that there is a possibility that Modric could end up at Stamford bridge. Chelsea have already secured the signing of a playmaker in the form of Eden Hazard, but they could be looking at the possibility to strengthen the team even more with the addition of Modric. The Croatian midfielder is not expected to cost the same £ 40 million and upwards as he did last season. The latest rumours suggest that Real Madrid could be close to securing his signature, though they are also chasing Luis Suarez.

"I don't know much about it other than what I read in the media. I know there was interest in the transfer window before. Chelsea as a team have needed a player with these qualities. He would fit in quickly and strengthen the squad. He has been in England a long time and knows about the way football is played on the island and the mentality of the players. He has exceptional quality, and moving to a bigger club is necessary for him to take the next step in his career," said Branislav Ivanovic to the Sportske Novosti.