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According to reports from reputable Spanish sport's publication, MARCA, Real Madrid are eager to finally bring back Martin Odegaard, from his loan-spells elsewhere in Spain.
Martin Odegaard has had a great start to the 2019/20 season, helping his club position themselves to stake a challenge for Champions League football next season and winning player of the month award in September.
We should hold the fanfare, however. Just because Real Madrid may want the young Norwegian to return to the ranks, it does not mean that he is ready to make his awaited return.
Undoubtedly, Odegaard has been pondering his seemingly inevitable return to Real Madrid ever since he left the club. However, is this the right thing for the 20-year-old midfielder?
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Here are three reasons why it could be a good idea for the Norwegian to return to Real Madrid next season.
#1 Madrid's ageing midfield
The central issue of Odegaard's first stint at the club was the lack of stability surrounding his place in the squad. He was competing with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Isco, for a place in the midfield and still a teenager at this point, there was simply no way he was going to be a regular starter.
However, Kroos and Modric are in their 30s now and as their careers begin to wind down, Real Madrid will have to start investing in the new era of the club. Due to this, one could expect that Odegaard would get the play-time and security that he so-desired in the first place.
Furthermore, Odegaard has shown this season that his talent is no joke. Over the last couple of years, many questioned his ability and whether or not he was just hype. With Real Sociedad, however, he has shown how brilliant he is.
It may not even be a case of waiting for Modric, Kroos, or even Isco to start winding down. Odegaard looks as though he could stake a genuine challenge for a place in the starting XI based on his current form and growth.
#2 Lead the next generation
With so many of the players from the Cristiano Ronaldo-era now in their early-to-mid thirties, Real Madrid is beginning to bring in new players for the next era of Real Madrid. On that token, it may seem a perfect time for Odegaard to return and be a figurehead for the next generation of Los Blancos.
As a central midfielder, Odegaard will be in the centre of all the action and could effectively be the man who controls the game for Real Madrid. This position of influence, if he is successful, would soon make him a major figure in the squad and for the fans.
Furthermore, as having signed with the club nearly five years ago, the still-young Norwegian already has an attachment to the club which could be an important factor for how he is received by the fans.
Finally, as a player that many are predicting may compete for Ballon d'Or in the future, Odegaard fits Real Madrid's 'Galacticos' philosophy perfectly. Fiorentina Perez seems obsessed with bringing the best and the brightest all to Madrid, with Odegaard already technically a Madrid player, it may turn out that Perez made the right decision bringing the Norwegian to Madrid all those years ago.
#3 His exciting play-style
Real Madrid is a club built on theatre and pageantry. From the emphasis on their peerless history, their beautiful all-white kit, the 'Galacticos' philosophy, and their love affair with the Champions League.
This ethos of theatre and pageantry is also reflected in which types of players the club likes to have. During the first era of the 'Galacticos', defensive midfielder Claude Makelele was sold in 2002 to make way for David Beckham.
It was perceived at the time that this was done as his unglamorous style was deemed unfit for what Real Madrid wanted to be. Interestingly, this decision outraged Zidane, who described the replacement of Makelele with Beckham as "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"
Whatever your view on this episode, when one applies this to Odegaard it adds yet another reason why the Norwegian should return to Real Madrid. This season the Norwegian has been heralded for his passing, dribbling, and tactical ability.
His playing style is easy on the eye and exciting to watch. Given that Real Madrid favour this type of player, especially in attacking roles, Odegaard seems the perfect candidate to fulfil this role and bring new energy to the ageing club.
Whether Odegaard does return to Madrid next summer or not, remains to be seen. If he does return, however, let's hope it is a triumphant one as this season he has given us a real glimpse of his potential and it would be a great shame if it were to go to waste.
