Odegaard's low return: no goals and two assists

Martin Odegaard has not exploded at Castilla this season as was expected. The Norway international, who celebrated his 17th birthday in December, undoubtedly has tremendous natural talent but he has struggled to adapt since joining Real Madrid from Stromsgodset in January 2015.

Odegaard played the second half of the 2014-15 season with Castilla under Zinedine Zidane, sometimes in the starting 11 and sometimes on the bench as he was eased into the side and a new country.

So far this season, Odegaard has failed to live up to the expectations that greeted his arrival in Madrid. And it not a matter of his coach’s faith: both Zidane, who moved to the big chair last month, and his replacement at Castilla Luis Miguel Ramis have fielded Odegaard at every opportunity. Of the 23 matches Castilla have played, Odegaard has missed three due to international call-ups for Norway and has featured in every game for the reserves. However, he has been substituted in most of them.

Odegaard has played the full 90 minutes just six times this season, and has been pulled off on 13 occasions. Under Zidane, the change became habitual and with Ramis in charge Odegaard has failed to stay on the pitch until the final whistle in four matches played.

And neither has the Norway international been contributing a huge amount in his attacking midfield role: zero goals and two assists.