Martin Odegaard has
endured a tough start
to life at Real Madrid
and we understands
that members of the club's Castilla squad
were unhappy with the level of publicity
generated by his arrival in the Spanish
capital.
The 16-year-old is widely regarded as one of
the game's most exciting young talents,
with the European champions' decision to
sign the much-coveted attacking
midfielder from Stromsgodset for €3 million
in January making headlines across Europe.
That fanfare was greeted with a mixed
reception by Los Blancos' second team, who
have received nothing like the same level of
attention as they bid to force their way into
the Santiago Bernabeu side's senior squad.
Odegaard is already a full Norway
international but is yet to make a first-team
appearance for his new club and has even
struggled for regular appearances in their
reserves, with the youngster managing just
one goal in five outings thus far.
While international duty forced Odegaard to
miss one recent game, coach Zinedine
Zidane opted to leave him out of their
following fixture for tactical reasons. Castilla
had lost their previous four games with the
teenager in the starting XI but won both
games without him.
That said, Odegaard is doing his best to
adapt to life on and off the pitch by having
four Spanish lessons a week as he bids to
improve his communication with his new
team-mates.
Furthemore, the club remain unconcerned
over his development, given his tender years
and the fact that this is his first move away
from his homeland.
Carlo Ancelotti and his staff also recognise
the added difficulty that he has faced in
training with both the first team and Castilla
squad - he works with Zidane and his team
just once a week.
A Madrid source also dismissed any notion
of regret at Odegaard's arrival, adding that
he is clearly "a very talented player" and he
also appears likely to start against Tudelano
on Sunday.
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