Real Madrid: 3 reasons why Martin Odegaard is vital for next season

Real Madrid need a left-footed playmaker

How many left-footed players do Real Madrid have in the attack that they can rely on? The answer might actually be zero. Marco Asensio is their best left-footed player and an asset at his best, but recent performances dictate that he may be better as a role player or even a backup. He has disappointed in too many games as a starter, and the pressure seems to affect him negatively.

Martin Odegaard stands a good chance at being Real’s best starter on the right-hand side of the attack. That is a role he has fulfilled well over the years, specifically in Real Sociedad where he was a midfielder, playmaker, and right winger. Odegaard can do it all.

And Real Madrid need this. They are not going to be able to sign a left-footed star this summer. The best options are Mohamed Salah and Riyad Mahrez, but neither are going to be available. They are far too important to their respective Premier League giants, who are under no obligation to sell them for anything less than an unaffordable sum.

Odegaard was supposed to be a “new signing” for the current season, but Real Madrid dropped the ball. Yes, they made a mistake. Let us admit it.

They don’t have to make the same mistake twice. There is no excuse now. Odegaard is, on paper, a great option for that right wing spot. And even if he plays somewhere else, his sweet left-foot and line-breaking killer passes are still needed on a team that has transformed right back Lucas Vazquez in second place in key passes per game, per WhoScored.com.