Sebastien Bassong has shared some interesting anecdotes about playing alongside Gareth Bale and Luka Modric at Tottenham and revealed which of the two he would rather have in his side.
While Tottenham fans of a younger age might look at the Mauricio Pochettino era as the one that elevated the club into the elite of Premier League football, one can argue that the Harry Redknapp era was more significant in establishing the club as a part of the ‘big six’.
Tottenham qualified for the Champions League for the first time under Redknapp in 2010 and made it all the way to the quarterfinal of the competition in the first time of asking.
That side played some scintillating football, boasting of the likes of Bale, Modric, Aaron Lennon, Rafael Van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe, Kyle Walker, Ledley King who have all gone on to become Spurs legends such was their impact.
Sebastien Bassong makes an admission about Bale and Modric
Bassong had the opportunity to witness the magic of the likes of Gareth Bale and Modric first-hand during his three years at the club, and he revealed a funny anecdote of what happened during the Welshman’s coming-of-age performance against Inter Milan.
However, despite lavishing praise on the winger, the former Spurs centre-back insisted that he would pick Luka Modric over him in his side.
Bassong told talkSPORT: “When we played [Inter] Milan I was playing alongside him and Samuel Eto’o came to me and said, ‘Who’s that guy?’ I said, ‘You’re about to find out, he’s gonna retire Maicon’, and he put him in a grave.
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“He could have played by himself on the left, left-back and left wing. He was an introvert, he didn’t talk much. But…I’ll still go for Luka [Modric]. Luka, we called him Mozart, he’s the best one because he won the Ballon d’Or, at Spurs I’d go for Luka – no doubt.”
Bassong on Modric’s leadership and confidence
Bassong revealed that the Croat was someone who led by example on the pitch and a player who had the respect of the whole dressing room.
The 38-year-old also told about an incident which happened during a game between him and the Real Madrid midfielder, which encapsulates the former Spurs man’s confidence.
Bassong added about the midfield maestro: “Luka isn’t a talker, he’s an introvert by nature, but when Luka spoke everyone listened. Luka doesn’t get angry, but if he does there’s a reason because he’s so good and efficient. That’s the kind of person you want to follow, when he says something, give the ball to Luka and he’s going to dictate the game.
“One day I had the ball and he came square to me and I didn’t give him the ball because there were two players on his back. He came to me and said, ‘Bass, give me the ball’. I said, ‘Yeah but…’ He said, ‘Just give me the ball!’