The Norwegian midfielder is closing in on a loan switch to the Emirates Stadium, with a seeming impatience displayed at the Santiago Bernabeu
Martin Odegaard’s “mind” was questioned by former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano, with Norway accused of running away from a fight at the Santiago Bernabeu as he prepares to join Arsenal on loan.
A short-term contract for a 22-year-old midfielder is being revealed at the Emirates Stadium.
Any move to the Premier League will take Odegaard away from the Spanish capital in the fifth consecutive season, with previous series included at Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad.
Fierce competition for places forces the talented player to look elsewhere for regular game time, with Arsenal latest to open their doors to a one-time teenage sensation.
Valdano believes Odegaard should accept battles with the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, rather than shake them, with a lack of patience shown by a high-profile player.
“The quality of Odegaard is essential to this Real Madrid team,” Valdano said El Transistor.
“I don’t think Odegaard has played badly. He may have been a bit conservative when it came to him, he may not have had more daring actions, but he also lacked patience to keep going at Real Madrid. He eventually competes with two stars like Modric and Kroos.
“I’m more worried about the mind.
“The Real Madrid player does not deserve to leave your place without patience. Not just any player is ahead of him. I’m surprised he would leave the club and leave his spot open for others. ”
As Odegaard prepares to part with the Blancos, Zinedine Zidane sticks around.
Questions have been asked about the fate of the Frenchman as the ruling La Liga champions scramble around for form and see routes to major currencies in 2021 close, but Valdano believes that a coach who gave up three Champions League crowns should be trusted to get things right.
He said: “I would never question a coach like Zidane.
“It’s not a good sign to kick out a coach in the middle of the season. You need to save the club image.
“The Alcoyano game was a blow, a humiliation, but falling to the cup has never been a tragedy for Real Madrid. ”