Real Madrid: Grading the midfielders from the 2020-2021 season

AM Martin Odegaard

Now to evaluate the only other attacking midfielder who obtained first-team minutes for Real Madrid this season, Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian was loaned to Arsenal in the winter transfer window after failing to play much in the first half of the campaign, and he understandably grew frustrated with his limited role just one season after lighting up LaLiga at Real Sociedad.

However, the reality is that Odegaard didn’t show enough to earn minutes over the top four midfielders – and especially not Luka Modric on the right side of the trio. Odegaard was, additionally, coming off a potential long-term knee injury, leading to an abundance of caution from Zinedine Zidane when he felt the young player was not at his best.

When he was on the pitch, Odegaard didn’t blow anyone away and actually never even contributed to a goal for Real Madrid, but he didn’t have any bad games to my recollection either. In fairness, Odegaard only made five starts and four bench appearances, though that should still be enough to give him a grade.

And overall, his grade is average. He had some bright moments and was smart in his movement off the ball, but he was missing that something extra that you need to move the needle at Real Madrid. That said, I think we will see that star power next season, so long as Real give him a little more trust.

Rating: 6.0