Does Alvaro Odriozola still have a place at Real Madrid?
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid loaned right-back Alvaro Odriozola to Bayern Munich for the remainder of th3 2019/2020 season in hopes of getting some clarity as to what the future holds. However, many are calling into question if he will stay with Los Blancos past the summer.
After buying Odriozola from Real Sociedad, Real Madrid fans never expected the young Spaniard to take Dani Carvajal‘s spot as the starter at fullback. However, was expected to be a solid depth player and maybe the future at the position.
Fast forward 18 months or so and no one seems to know what Alvaro’s future might hold. In fact, he might not be a Real Madrid player come this fall.
Odriozola featured in 22 matches in his first full campaign in the capital, but this season, there seemed to be a shift in the balance as manager Zinedine Zidane only selected the defender five times.
Then, for the team to loan him out to Bayern Munich with little warning or indication in January, it seems like the promising player is about to be sold on. To make matters worse, Bayern clearly has no need for him.
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Odriozola has spoken openly about his desire to earn his spot at the Santiago Bernabeu and impress Zizou, saying Monday, “I just wasn’t in my best condition so that I could play the way I like to play. I have to be very honest and I feel Zidane’s trust, so I have no doubts that my time will come.”
The pace he posses and his ability to help on the attack are exactly what the club is looking for in a fullback, but injury concerns and problems on defense have caused doubt amongst supporters and the coaching staff.
To move on from Alvaro Odriozola in just a season and a half seems a bit excessive and unnecessary, but Real Madrid has done that twice before with fullbacks. Remember, Brazilian right-back Danilo was with the club for just two seasons and Theo Hernandez was in Madrid for just one season before being loaned out for a season and then sold to AC Milan.
The way things are trending right now and based on what I am seeing, Odriozola could very well be the next casualty. I think his dedication to the badge and his solid play warrants him at least one more season to prove himself.
After all, he was bought for €30 million and will still have four years remaining on his current contract, so, what’s the rush to get rid of him?
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Nacho Fernandez can substitute in as a left or right back and Ferland Mendy is showing tons of potential in his first season with the club. Once Sergio Reguilon and Achraf Hakimi return, it will be tougher for Odriozola to get playing time, but he still could.
Keep him around for another season, see if he has a breakout year, and then go from there.