[Link] Martin Odegaard Season long loan move

Anyone who would turn down the best talent in the world at any age group - which Ødegaard undoubtedly is - is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

If our kids aren't inspired by a 16 year-old winning a move to the biggest club in the world and playing for our first team, then they know where the door is. We want kids like Ødegaard, not ones who are intimidated by his success.

You can never have too much quality in your first team but if anyone's in any doubt as to how effective loaning in a young player - even one with no experience of competitive professional football - can be, look no further than Jason Denayer. I'll take a player of that quality for one season with no promise of a loan extension or an option to buy, without any hesitation whatsoever and if you wouldn't, maybe your opinion shouldn't be given too much weight.

Young players from Real Madrid, Barcelona or any of the very top clubs, whether we like it or not, are often as good as - if not better than - our first team players.

As for where Ødegaard would 'fit in' (not that I think that's even worth consideration if Deila thinks he's good enough and considering we'd be under no obligation to play him anyway), have a look at our midfield:

Brown
Bitton
Johansen
Mackay-Steven
Armstrong

- important players for our present and future

Commons

- an important player who's in the twilight years of his playing career

Mulgrew

- a utility player, who'll most likely be used in defence this season with our shortage of centre-halves

Henderson

- a good prospect

Forrest

- has the potential to be an important player if he can stay injury-free

Rogić

- may or may not have a future here

Stokes

- isn't a natural midfielder and hasn't played often in recent months

McGregor

- stood out in a very poor Celtic side, doesn't appear to have a future here

Boerrigter

- will probably never play for Celtic again

I'd feel much more comfortable going into the Champions League with this:

Brown Bitton
Mackay-Steven Johansen Ødegaard

Henderson Mulgrew
Commons Armstrong Stokes​

Forrest and Rogić to come in as well. Get rid of Boerrigter and McGregor.

 

If we signed him he would be our best playmaker IMO. His passing and vision is extreme for a 16 year old, he looks like a 33 year old veteran on the ball. On the negative side his physique is nowhere near fully developed. I say sign him up, even if it's just for a year.

 

Thomson is probably the only academy midfield player who could make the step-up this season but he's nowhere near ready for the responsibility of playing in Europe or playing a long run of domestic games. We need two very good players in each position (remember Deila's 22 man squad?).

 

You have to factor in Ødegaard's relationship with Deila and Johansen as well and the example he'd set for the young players (even if he does have an ego, which I think might be exaggerated, he's moved from a Norwegian provincial club to the biggest club in the world at 16 years old).

 

Lest we forget our very own Calvin Miller?!

He's got a bit of the Griffths about him at least.

But, seriously, you're right. Ronny's no magician. Sure he can nurture, but can't muster superstars out of thin air.

As I said before, my opinion's been drastically changed very quickly. I think he'd be beneficial in more ways than one.

 

For yous who say "develop our own" how much better is that than taking in probably the best under 19 in the world?

End of the day, if we had the best under 19 in the world through our own academy,.. he'd be gone straight away, just like Odegaard will be next season... but we'll embrace every single second we have with him.

Not only that, if we can develop Martin, then we may develop a relationship with Real Madrid's youngsters. ... it's clear to see Ronny is looking to develop the best youngsters that he finds.

The only problem i see with this is that Odegaard, if he does come, has to start!.... But I'm sure a front 4 of;

GMS Odegaard Johansen

Griffiths

would go down very well with the support. I for one would have a hardon with that.


Finding it hard to find the cons of us taking him on loan. There is absolutely NOTHING for us to lose.
​

 

There's now way Madrid will risk one of their best prospects in the SPL..

It just won't happen.

 

It's not overly physical, but there's still the odd * who will go into a 50/50 to do damage. A couple of the Dundee united boys for starters.

 

He's not good enough to start for us. Ronny knows him more than anyone. Did he not say that Commons was light years ahead of him or something?

 

Let some other mugs develop him. He is too young and there is no chance of a permanent deal. No point stopping some of our own to give a boy games when there is no long term benefit for our club. * him and * Real Madrid.

 

Could have said the same about Jason Denayer.

 

my personal input on it, if i was Benitez would be that he played in the Spanish league and familiarised himself with the pace, and style of the game in Spain... As for me, if he can familiarise himself in the spanish game, and establish himself then he won't have a problem in Europe...

I'd find it very surprising if he was allowed to come to us, as we can only offer him European football, and even that's not even guaranteed.

But then maybe, it might come down to Ronny and Stefan having a wee word in the boys ear, and who knows, Rafa may let him come.

I'm not going to get my hopes up though.

 

No absolutely not. Denayer was out of contract at the end of that season so there was always a chance that we could have got him. This kid is only at Franco FC since Xmas. This is a short term deal and only suits the player and his club. We need to think long term about our own future. This is a deal we shoud be nowhere near.

I am normally all for strengthening our side through transfers and keeping our own proven players. I dont think he will make us better and there is no long term value in it either, so he can get ta *

 

The difference is Denayer plays a positioon where we desperately needed players for. I'm not saying Odegaard wouldnt improve our squad and I honestly couldnt say I know what level he is currently at, but we already have several players that can play behind the striker, whereas with Denayer we badly needed a defender.