Real Madrid: Odegaard future comes down to Zidane plans
Sources at Real Madrid say the club will respect Martin Odegaard's desire for regular football if Zinedine Zidane only sees him as sixth choice in midfield.
Martin Odegaard’s future is to be decided in the coming weeks, and it chiefly comes down to what Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane’s plans for him are.
Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has revealed that a decision on the future of the Norwegian, who is on a season-long loan at the Basque club but could stay for a second year, was supposed to be made by the end of May, but as a result of the coronavirus crisis “we have been forced to shift this timeline”.
He added: “Based on the indications we’ve received from Odegaard, I’m relatively optimistic. Conversations are ongoing with Madrid to agree a deal to keep him on.”
Real Madrid want Odegaard to return but mindful of player's desire for regular game time
As was reported by AS in early April, Real Madrid’s intention is to take the 21-year-old back to the Bernabéu, in the wake of a season in which he has impressed in San Sebastián, scoring seven goals and supplying eight assists. However, Madrid sources have told this newspaper that the club appreciate Odegaard’s desire to play regular football.
If Zidane only sees him as sixth in the midfield pecking order behind Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde and Isco, Madrid will understand if the Norwegian’s preference is to remain at La Real for a second season. Modric is expected to leave Madrid after the 2020/21 campaign, so Odegaard's path into Zidane’s team would potentially be clearer then.
Madrid eager for Zidane to place faith in Odegaard next season
However, Real Madrid chiefs are thought to be keen for Zidane to be brave next season and place his faith in Odegaard, a player he knows well from his time as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s ‘B’ team.
Madrid’s results between now and the end of the campaign will also have an influence on Odegaard’s future. Were Los Blancos to fail to win either LaLiga or the Champions League after the season’s restart, this would shorten the odds on the club implementing a plan to freshen up their squad by bringing back out-on-loan prospects such as Odegaard, Achraf Hakimi, Dani Ceballos, Sergio Reguilón and Takefusa Kubo.