How signing Luka Modrić would (and wouldn't) solve Inter Miami's problems | OneFootball

On Saturday, former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modrić said his Real Madrid goodbyes in a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad. It has not been the fairytale ending to his 13-year stint with Los Blancos the Croatian would've wanted, his side being eliminated by Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and being pipped to all three of the season's domestic titles by El Clásico nemesis FC Barcelona.

Nevertheless, the Croatian star leaves the Santiago Bernabéu as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. With such pedigree, and an unnerving ability to still go toe-to-toe with the best in the world even at 39 years old, Modrić has no shortage of suitors with which to extend his storied career.

Among those are Inter Miami, who are currently languishing down in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Lionel Messi's side have their work cut out for them if they are to finally win that first MLS Cup for which they have thrown everything at these last two years. Modrić is being widely touted for a move to South Florida in time for next month's FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that Miami fans are worrying will be the most damning indictment on their side yet.

Why Modrić to Miami WOULD work

Despite all of the incomings and the off-season managerial change, Miami has enormously regressed since last season. Mostly thanks to Messi they are still scoring, but the side has been nothing short of appalling defensively. Almost unbelievably, Miami has conceded at least three goals in six of its last seven games.

The pressure to win an MLS Cup or a Concacaf Champions Cup with Messi has certainly played a part in their regression, and Modrić has repeatedly demonstrated that kind of composure in the very biggest of occasions that very few have, even Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez, the two former FC Barcelona men who have rejoined Messi in MLS.

The Croatian would shore Miami up in possession and defensively, and if they make it to the latter stages of the Leagues Cup or the MLS Cup Playoffs, would provide that cool head they are seemingly without.

Why Modrić WOULDN'T work

Miami already has a stacked roster. Nowhere is this more evident than in central midfield, where Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Federico Redondo, Benjamin Cremaschi and Telasco Segovia are all fighting for minutes between them.

Of course, thanks to a special pre-Club World Cup transfer window for those MLS sides competing, and more roster flexibility than you might think under MLS rules, signing Modrić would not be a problem. The question is, though, what will Miami do with the likes of Redondo who it paid good money for?

Another problem is naturally Modrić's age. Whilst he is fitter than most other 39-year-olds, there's no getting around the fact that he still is a 39-year-old. Miami have recently counteracted the ages of Messi, Suárez, Busquets, and Jordi Alba by signing much younger talents, but adding Modrić would only compound the pressure on the side to deliver an MLS Cup before it is too late.