All posts by h716a5.icu

Luka Modric is diving headfirst into his role at Swansea City as he works to help the club secure a return to the Premier League. Despite his recent move to AC Milan the Croatian legend has made it clear that he intends to play a hands-on role in Swansea’s ambitions. His involvement goes beyond the boardroom, and there is even hope that Modric could finish his career playing for the Welsh club.

Modric takes an active role at SwanseaHas been helping recruit new players Croatian could even retire at Liberty StadiumFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

This summer, Modric took a significant step by purchasing a stake in Swansea. Rather than taking a backseat as an investor, he is fully engaged in all aspects of the club's operations. The 39-year-old has made it known that he is keen to explore the business side of football, with a particular interest in developing young talent, coaching, and gaining exposure to tactics and team management.

AdvertisementGOALWHAT SWANSEA CEO SAID

Swansea’s CEO, Tom Gorringe, shared insight into Modric's plans and revealed to : "Luka is looking at what he’s going to do once he hangs up his boots. He’s interested in the business side, the development of young players, the coaching and tactical side… and all aspects he hasn’t been exposed to as a player. Already, he’s been helpful from a recruitment perspective, speaking to potential targets. Where he’s got connections, he provides feedback and plays a part in helping us recruit. If you’re trying to sign particularly a midfield player, Luka can ring them to talk about our project. There’s no greater endorsement for Swansea than him.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Modric’s connection to Swansea is not just professional; he has long admired the club's philosophy and playing style. His first encounter with Swansea came in the 2011-12 season when he was playing for Tottenham. During that campaign, Brendan Rodgers was managing Swansea, and Modric was delighted with the club’s "Swansea Way" of playing, a style defined by attractive, possession-based football.

“In Spain, there’s an affinity with Swansea because of our style and, with Luka being at Madrid for so long, he’s got that," he said. “He lives it, feels it, breathes it and believes in the way we play. Even our all-white kit is the same as Real Madrid. Now he wants to help us get to the next level.”

WHAT NEXT FOR MODRIC?

As part of his ongoing commitment to Swansea, Modric is set to make personal visits to the club’s training ground. He plans to meet with head coach Sheehan and the squad, providing direct sporting input. Additionally, Modric will continue to engage with the team and academy players via Zoom calls and pre-recorded videos, aiming to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of players coming through the ranks.

Shuffled into middle order, Luke Wells finishes day on 78 not out as Lancashire take control

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2024Lancashire’s batters made title-chasing Somerset work for every wicket on the second day of the Vitality County Championship match at Old Trafford and had built a formidable 292-run lead at close of play.Josh Bohannon’s 60 and Luke Wells’ unbeaten 78 enabled the home side to finish on 298 for 7 in their second innings of a match both sides desperately need to win, Lancashire to preserve their hopes of avoiding relegation, Surrey to stay in touch with Surrey at the top of the table.The difference between the first day’s play and the second was immediately apparent during a morning session in which Lancashire scored 90 runs in 27 overs for the loss of only two wickets.On a pitch that had dried out and lost much of the greenness, bowlers had to work harder for their successes and the only batsman dismissed in the first hour was the nightwatchman, Will Williams, who was leg-before wicket to Craig Overton for 7 in the third over of the morning.Harry Singh then added 85 for the third wicket with Bohannon, who batted beautifully to make 60 off 76 balls. However, it was indicative of the problems Bohannon has encountered this season that his half-century was only his fourth innings over fifty in 22 Championship innings.None of which diminished Somerset’s joy in the penultimate over before lunch when Bohannon tried to pull a ball from Kasey Aldridge but only succeeded in diverting it via the toe of the bat to Tom Abell in the gully.On the resumption, Singh and Rocky Flintoff defied Lewis Gregory’s bowlers for 50 minutes until Singh thin-edged a catch to James Rew off Brett Randell to give the New Zealander his first wicket for Somerset.Singh had faced 142 balls during his 260-minute innings of 30 but his patient resistance was not copied by Matty Hurst, who hit three breezy fours in 19 runs before attempting to drive Randell and nicking a catch to Overton at second slip.In the next over, Flintoff was bowled by Jack Leach’s arm-ball for 27 but Well and George Bell saw their side through to 214 for 6 at tea, when Lancashire’s lead was 208. And on the resumption, Wells and Bell extended their seventh-wicket stand to 83 before Bell was bowled for 23 when trying to pull a ball from Gregory that kept low.Wells shifted down into the middle order for this match, having struggled in his usual opening role in recent weeks. Batting as low as No. 7 on account of Williams’ deployment as a nightwatchman, he went on to emulate Bohannon’s feat in passing fifty for only the fourth time this season but his strokeplay was impressive, most noticeably when he hit three off-side boundaries in one over from Gregory.And the day ended with Lancashire in the ascendant. Wells was unbeaten on 78 and Somerset’s fielders appeared aggrieved that George Balderson had not been adjudged run out on 5 when apparently run out by Overton’s throw from slip. The visitors had earlier been penalised five runs for fake fielding.