Odegaard buries an idea

With the transfer of Odegaard to Arsenal a very dangerous circle is closed for Real Madrid. First of all, there are already many players who do not want to be in the project. Before the Norwegian another young man with a lot of projection, Ceballos, or Jovic and even Isco. All important men in this new structure that Real Madrid was building for the short term future. And in that sense, Odegaard must be the new attraction. In fact, last summer it was sold as the great signing of the entity. With the Norwegian, in reality, an entire idea is reversed.

Odegaard's issue is especially worrisome because of its media connotation. At least, more than for the effect on the club's economy that it may have in these times of severe crisis due to the coronavirus. Actually, the Norwegian has been taking steps … from star to star. At Madrid, of course, because at Arsenal he hopes to perform at the same level as at Real Sociedad. In both places he will play as a midfielder, behind the forwards and backed by the midfielders. A demarcation that in Madrid does not exist with Zidane.

On May 23, 2015, Real Madrid proudly displayed a piece of news on its official website: “Odegaard, the youngest to make his debut for Madrid in the league.” He had done so by replacing none other than Cristiano Ronaldo in the 57th minute against Getafe. The midfielder achieved that precociousness record at 16 years and 157 days. Since then Odegaard has been the eternal promise. Since then, the club has been waiting for him to explode, believing that he will be Modric's natural replacement.

Madrid had signed Odegaard in January 2015 from Stromsgodset in exchange for 2.3 million that could become 3.4 depending on variables. But five and a half years later, he has only been able to play 11 games with the white jersey (0 goals). The rest, transfers to Dutch teams in which, already in professional football, he could not stand out: two seasons in the Heerenven (43 games and three goals) and another in the Vitesse (39 and 11 goals) did not help him to find a gap with Zidane in the Frenchman's first stage. He only shone at Real (36 games and 7 goals). But it doesn't convince Zidane either. Now, with Arteta, the Norwegian hopes to be able to turn his luck for the return next summer.