Luka Modric has admitted that Real Madrid lost an important player when Casemiro joined Manchester United.
United announced the signing of the Brazilian midfielder last month for an initial fee of £60m rising to £70m in possible add-ons.
Despite Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti being more than willing to allow his former teammate to move to Old Trafford, Modric has said that Casemiro was an important player for the La Liga giants. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, the former Tottenham man said: "We’ve started really well this year and we have a strong team.
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"In midfield, we lost an important player in Casemiro, but we’ve got a lot of other good players to replace him and do a good job. [Aurelien] Tchouameni has adapted really well. This is [Eduardo] Camavinga’s second year and he had a great first year. [Toni] Kroos has been here for a long time. [Federico] Valverde is also doing really well in any position. [Dani] Ceballos is helping the team a lot.
"We’re well equipped in this position." Despite the Croatian now believing that Los Blancos are in a strong position without Casemiro, this did not stop him from paying a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate when he joined United.
"Dear Case, I still remember your debut with our club," Modric wrote in an open letter to Casemiro in Marca. "How nervous you were. I asked you to be calm and now I think about it and see how it turned out. What you have achieved. It was also my first season and neither of us could imagine what football had in store for us. You have become a true leader. You have been for your teammates and for Real Madrid. We will always remember it.
"We have won a lot together, but I keep the moments that nobody sees. With the day-to-day work in Valdebebas (Madrid's training ground). And especially with the jokes, because you have always been in a good mood, even in moments of tension or when there were failures. Those laughs with you gave me peace of mind. Just like looking back and seeing you, knowing there's going to be a lot of 'Njega-Njega.' You have been the best bodyguard in the world. I'm going to miss you, but I wish you the best. It is what a professional and a person like you deserve. Thanks for everything and good luck, friend."
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