Terry Gibson told La Liga Xtra he wonders whether Luke Modric is really who Real Madrid need.
Is Modric really what Mourinho needs?
Terry Gibson says Tottenham fans can't blame Luka Modric for joining Real Madrid - but is surprised Jose Mourinho didn't try to bolster his defence instead.
The Croatian playmaker joined the Spanish giants from Spurs for around £33m on Monday.
Although Gibson believes Modric to be a hugely talented player, he told
La Liga Xtra Mourinho may have been wiser using that money to strengthen his backline rather than try to improve his already impressive attack.
"It's hardly a surprise but it's strange Real Madrid haven't done more business this summer," he said.
"I made the point they had to strengthen because Barcelona were going to do their best to try and catch them and invest in new players, but Jose Mourinho set his mind on Luka Modric and there's been no talk of any other player going to Real Madrid.
"Eventually they've managed to do a deal with Spurs and get their player. He joins the club two games into the new season, although they could have done with him for those first two games considering they've lost both of them!
"He strengthens the squad, certainly. I wouldn't like to call him a squad player but when you look at the attacking options Mourinho's got, I thought it was the defence that needed strengthening.
"He's obviously identified Modric as a player he really needs and ideally he'd go in alongside Xabi Alonso in midfield at the expense of Sami Khedira. But I didn't see him as a priority.
"Khedira's a really good player and, anyway, it's difficult to improve Real Madrid in midfield, it's difficult to improve them up front. I personally thought they'd have gone for a defender or two."
Don't blame Luka
However, Gibson refused to criticise Modric for swapping London for the Spanish capital - despite being a Spurs fan himself.
"The 2-1 defeat to Getafe probably stepped up the urgency for Real Madrid to get this deal done, but it's been no secret that all summer Modric has been their target.
"Modric has made it clear he wanted to join Real Madrid - and you can hardly blame him - it's almost impossible for any player to turn Madrid down.
"To play in front of those supporters every week, up against Barcelona, in one of the greatest leagues in the world...there's so many reasons why Luka Modric would want to go there.
"As a Spurs fan it's a shame to see him leave but I understand fully his reasons for going."
