Friday 9 January 2015

Martin Ødegaard

The Norwegian wonderkid looks set to make a dream move to Spanish giants Real Madrid just a month after turning 16.

A whole host of clubs have expressed their interest in the youngster including Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester UnitedManchester City and Southampton as well as Bayern Munich. However after Ødegaard was spotted watching a game at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, it appears he is on his way to Madrid.

Ødegaard was quickly  thrust into the spotlight after he became the youngest player to play in the Tippeligaen, the youngest player to score in the Tippeligaen and then the youngest player to feature in a qualifier for the UEFA European Championship, all at the age of 15.


Ødegaard has been highly thought of by his current club Stromsgodset IF for quite some time now. He began training with the first team in 2012 and in 2014 he fully merged with the first team squad signing his first professional contract. 

In his first full season with Stromsgodset he played 24 times and scored 5 goals along with more assists helping them to fourth spot in the league and qualification to the 2015-16 Europa League qualifying phase. Having also made 3 appearances for the Norwegian national team there is no surprise that people are saying he is the future of Norwegian football. 

His playing style is very similar to that of Juan Mata's only it appears that Ødegaard has a bit more pace about him. He can play on either wing but his preferred position is in the number 10 spot behind the striker. He has fantastic close control and his first touch is something he has obviously worked on. Having said that he has exceptional natural ability. Former Blackburn Rovers player and Ødegaard's international teammate Morten Gamst Pederson said "For his age he is unbelievable and his technical skills are fantastic".

Ødegaard's footwork around the box, his vision and skill to play through-balls behind the defence and his quick bursts of speed into the box made him hot property in Europe. After Real Madrid said that he would be involved in the first team, it is likely that he will be getting the best help in mastering his skills. A little advice from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo certainly would do no harm.


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