Following the announcement of the PFA player of the year award recently, I Robert Hunt Jersey got to thinking about just how good Gareth Bale is. A dynamic, lightning-fast, exciting, explosive left sided player, Bale has lit up White Hart Lane with his displays this season. However, somewhere between the re-run of Bales performance against Inter, and his goal at the Britannia Stadium versus Stoke, I was brought out of my day dream by a startling realisation that Bale is in fact not Tottenhams best player. That accolade I feel should go to the diminutive Croatian midfielder Luka Modri, a player often ignored by pundits in favour of Bale and Van Der Vaart when Tottenham play, this man is a special talent, and will certainly be among the favourites to take the Spurs player of the year award at the expense of his much talked about team mates.Modri moved to Spurs at the start of the 2008 season for a total fee of 16.5 million, and was expected to be deployed in an attacking midfield role to create chances and dictate play. Not much was known about the Croatian prior to his move to White Hart Lane, although a starring role in Croatias 2008 European Championship campaign did help raise his profile. The Croatian struggled early on during his time in England, as he got acquainted with the Premier Jaelan Phillips Jersey League. Furthermore Spurs poor form early in the season resulted in Modri playing in a side lacking confidence not an ideal start to life in England.Following the sacking of Juande Ramos and the appointment of Harry Redknapp, Tottenham began to play a more attacking and attractive game, suiting the Croatians style of play. Results improved and Spurs pushed on, managing to record a top half finish. The following season is where Modri really began to stamp his authority and cla s on the Spurs side, becoming an integral part of the team that secured a Champions League place in 2009-10. A fine year resulted in rumours circulating that linked the player with Manchester United and a host of other European clubs, but Modri remained at White Hart Lane where for the first time in decades the club would be playing Champions League football, providing him with the greatest stage upon which to perform.Since this season began Modri has not disappointed. He has been in excellent form throughout the season, playing in a more central role than he is po sibly used to, as part of a 4-4-2 system that sees Rafael Van Der Vaart dropping deep to collect the ball, playing of his strike partner. Modri now has defensive responsibilities, which he carries out to great effect, in addition Raheem Mostert Jersey to his usual creativity in the offensive third. For a small man he uses his body extremely well, and is not afraid to put in a tackle. However, perhaps his most impre sive trait is the radar he po se ses in relation to what is going on around him. This special ability sets Modri apart from many players, as he is constantly aware of those surrounding him, in relation to both team mates and opponents. He glides around the offensive areas of the pitch, weaving through challenges and sewing a rich tapestry of pa ses that allow Spurs to attack in style Trill Williams Jersey . In the defensive third he has improved tremendously, and now regularly makes vital interceptions on the edge of his own area, allowing his side to launch a counter-attack.Bale is a player that will fade in and out of games, as he hugs the left side looking to offer width. Dont get me wrong, he is a fantastic player and consistently terrifies defenders up and down the country, but Modris role requires him to be much more involved throughout the ninety minutes, and he thrives upon this. His ability to link front and back, whilst consistently looking for openings in the oppositions defence, result in him being the focal point in the Spurs team a role that he clearly relishes. His team mates look to him to create and influence play, and Modri responds with aplomb.Luka Modri is a special player, and will continue to improve. In addition to his ability to unlock defences, he can now hold his own in the centre of the pitch. The term complete midfielder springs to mind, and although some people may believe this a premature label, you only have to see this special player take to the field in order to be thrilled by his outstanding ability both going forward and when defending his own goal. Lets hope that Spurs can keep hold of this special talent, and that Modri carries on linking up with Bale, Van Der Vaart Justin Coleman Jersey and co. in the future, allowing him to continue setting the Premier League alight.