Modric making the most of Khedira's absence

One man’s pain is another man’s gain. That is certainly an adage that best describes what the cut-throat business of the being a modern day footballer. As clubs squads get bigger, so does the competition for a place. We are now at a time when some clubs, can call up on more than two players for a particular position. As a result, one can ill afford to have a bad game, or worse still, get injured.

The latter was just the fate that befell Sami Khedira a few months back, when, injury forced him out of the team, for the rest of the season. Ever since he was signed by Madrid, the 26-year-old has slowly but surely started to make his mark on the club. And, by the start of this season, the German international had become integral to Real Madrid’s plans and his injury was a blow to not only Madrid’s campaign, but his chance of featuring in this summer’s World Cup as well.

At a club like Real Madrid, there isn’t time to brood over spilt milk as there is always someone waiting in the wings to take over. And, that is precisely what happened, as Khedira’s injury meant that, Luka Modric, who had been playing second fiddle to the German ever since his arrival in the summer of 2012, finally had his big chance. Although the Croatian played over 50 games in his debut season with Madrid, he was never quite able to stamp his authority on the game.

The Croatian’s play was always overshadowed by not just Cristiano Ronaldo, but by the players alongside him, Xabi Alonso and Khedira as well. After four largely successful seasons with Spurs, the Croatian struggled to make an impact and was lost amidst a whirlwind of stars. But ever since Khedira’s injury, Modric has started to resemble the player that was bought from Spurs for £33m.

For the past couple of months, Modric has managed to show the Bernabeu just why Madrid spent so much money to recruit him, when they already had two world class defensive midfielders in Alonso and Khedira in their ranks. Modric has shown that he has that little extra spark that the aforementioned duo don’t. With the ability to glide past defenders as if they aren’t there and an eye for a pass, Modric certainly was a welcome addition to the squad, but, only in the past couple of months, has he shown that, over a prolonged period of time.

Whilst Modric’s talents were never in question, his ability to take control of the game was. And, his displays since Khedira’s injury have certainly put that to rest as he has been one of Real Madrid’s top players in almost every single game. Not only has the Croatian been compact on the defensive end of things, he is always ready to receive the ball and spread it around. He has emerged as a player whose sole priority, is to keep the ball moving. He has certainly done that and has rarely wasted possession.

Some of Modric’s link-up play with Cristiano Ronaldo and his former team-mate Gareth Bale have certainly been a joy to behold and that is only bound to get better as the season progresses. The Croatian has certainly had a positive impact on Madrid’s form, which has been on the upward trajectory, even with an injury to one of their key players. Much of it, has been down to the Croat’s ability to float in the center of midfield and glide from defense into attack, in the blink of an eye.

If Modric continues in the form that has seen him rack up five assists already, the second-most of any Real Madrid player this season, then, Khedira might struggle to reclaim his place in the team once he returns from injury. And that certainly is a dilemma that Ancelotti would love to have.