The on-off Luka Modric to Chelsea farce continues.
Spurs assistant boss Kevin Bond was forced into a humbling apology masked as a clarification concerning his midfielder Luka Modric.
Speaking earlier today, Bond suggested that every player has their price – a comment Chelsea watchers would see as a weakening and acceptance that Modric will go, but the club simply have not being offered the right amount.
He then had to trot out a statement that reflected the club’s current company line about Modric not for sale etc…
It’s rare for a player to say he wants to go, then change his mind and decide he will stay.
It happens, Cesc Fabregas and even Carlos Tevez, but even Tevez has changed his mind once again. And now wants to go.
Now that is something all clubs accept - as history has shown, But Spurs are a tad sensitive at the minute, as they should be. Their prized midfielder does not want to play for them but instead play for Chelsea.
Now, eventually if the player continues to assert that he wants to leave, it's just a matter of time before he does and the clubs concerned thrash out a deal.
But before they get to that stage we have a game played out and it’s called brinkmanship. Each side tries to score little points – often in the media - to undermine their opposition’s position and vice versa.
Eventually one blinks and gives in.
The truth is that Chelsea and Spurs only have another 30 days to play out their game then the teacher blows his whistle and play time is over and the kids have to get back to class.
But when every million pound counts, the buying clubs want to get a deal and the selling club wants as much as possible.
So, is Chelsea’s alleged interest in Javier Pastore a ruse again played out in the media to pressure Spurs into settling for a lower fee for Modric earlier?
The idea being that the north London club might lose millions on Modric - a player who does not want to be there.
Sadly, in this instance, the emergence of Paris St Germain’s interest seems to have scuppered Chelsea’s position if it is, as the Paris club appear favourites to nab the creative midfielder.
Perhaps another creative midfielder can be suggested to muddy the waters again.
Or if reports are to be believed Chelsea’s wide creative midfield misfit Yury Zhirkov could be offloads back to Russia very soon.
This would free up a valuable place in the squad for a certain Croatian midfielder currently plying his trade over in north London.
Just don’t mention it to Kevin Bond, will you?