Martin Odegaard (Strømsgodset IF)

So buy him and loan him to Ajax. Just get a long contract agreement so he gets first team football straight away, a level at which he can develop comfortably and we reap the benefits either way. Either financially or more importantly getting one of the world's best rising talents for a cheap price now.

Why would Ajax be willing to develop a youngster for us?

Why would Ajax be willing to develop a youngster for us?

Because it means they get to play him for free, would have thought that's fairly obvious.

So buy him and loan him to Ajax. Just get a long contract agreement so he gets first team football straight away, a level at which he can develop comfortably and we reap the benefits either way. Either financially or more importantly getting one of the world's best rising talents for a cheap price now.

Such an unrealistic scenario. Developing their own youth is sacred for Ajax, they're not going to do that for another club. The only loans they do is players they think can make a real difference, and that they have a chance to sign afterwards.

Because it means they get to play him for free, would have thought that's fairly obvious.

So they're going to prefer developing a talent for another club over developing one of their own and reap the benefits of it because? Because of low wages they wouldn't have to pay for a young player?

but who knows with the Mozart of football.”

Who is the Mozart of Football ?

Off to Real.

Either loves the money or is daft as F**k.

Off to Real.

Either loves the money or is daft as f**k.

Money, beach, women, weather.... not quite daft :p

But seriously, thought the best option was Ajax for him. However, Real have really exceptional youth coaches, they've churned out a lot of very good players, whether it'd be for their own use or sold to other clubs. It isn't quite so bad at his age too.

Because it means they get to play him for free, would have thought that's fairly obvious.

Why would they play a 16 year old for free with no long term benefit?

Obvious statement is not so obvious...

EDIT: He wanted first team football and then signs for the club where he'd play less than anywhere else. What didn't he learn from Canales, Illaramendi, Pedro Leon, Callejon etc. etc. etc.?

He wanted to play for a team that would put him in the first team. In that respect, he's obviously just full of bullshit and wanted the money. While I didn't believe we would get him, the most logical decision was Ajax.

He didn't choose and as a result that's the last we'll hear of him.

EDIT: He wanted first team football and then signs for the club where he'd play less than anywhere else

He wanted to play for a team that would put him in the first team.

Did he or his dad actually mention this? I never read anything about him wanting first team, always thought he wanted to join the right club to help him progress.

Another thing I'll throw in, we have a strong reputation for nurturing special players well. Owen, Fowler, Gerrard, McManaman & Sterling, so hopefully, Odegaard can fall into that category.

Sterling is the only recent one though. Forget the others, they were brought through by a totally different regime. Counts for nothing today, and todays regime has been pretty woefull regarding youngsters coming through.

Just do what you can to sign him. Worry about where you play him later. Just get him on board if he's that good.

Just do what you can to sign him. Worry about where you play him later. Just get him on board if he's that good.

Seemingly, that's Real's mantra



Good to see that they lost after inviting him over to watch the match.
     

why wouldn't they? After all, they will sell him for at least double the $ once he spent 1-2 seasons on the bench in Madrid. Seems like some clubs like Real can just buy players and sell them with a higher value because they played for them. So there is not much risk involved...

Are we really going to criticize a 16-year-old for choosing to go to the most glamorous club in the world? Yeah, he's probably going to have a tough time breaking through -- maybe, he could surprise -- but he's not doing anything virtually every promising footballer his age would do.

http://youtu.be/RR0iKVlEiLg

Maybe we'll sign him when he's older

Are we really going to criticize a 16-year-old for choosing to go to the most glamorous club in the world? Yeah, he's probably going to have a tough time breaking through -- maybe, he could surprise -- but he's not doing anything virtually every promising footballer his age would do.

He's getting some really bad advice and I think its probably more Daddy that is drawn to Real Madrid than the lad himself. Its a real shame becuase with us or Ajax I think he would have been given opportunities but with Real Madrid he'll most likely just fade away and be sold on in a few years time.

He's getting some really bad advice and I think its probably more Daddy that is drawn to Real Madrid than the lad himself. Its a real shame becuase with us or Ajax I think he would have been given opportunities but with Real Madrid he'll most likely just fade away and be sold on in a few years time.

I don't think it's bad advice. Look at how many players Real churned out over the last decade. A lot of quality players. Even if he doesn't get first team action, he'll be trained up for a year by world class coaches and then possibly loaned out for experience at a top league or a few games for Real.

Ajax would've been great, but Real isn't such a bad choice and we have to remember, he just turned 16.

I don't think it's bad advice. Look at how many players Real churned out over the last decade. A lot of quality players. Even if he doesn't get first team action, he'll be trained up for a year by world class coaches and then possibly loaned out for experience at a top league or a few games for Real.

Ajax would've been great, but Real isn't such a bad choice and we have to remember, he just turned 16.

Exactly he just turned 16 and was hot property playing in the senior team in the Norwegian top league plus pactually playing for Norway at an International level. He will now be getting great coaching, no question about that, but no real game time, which will obvioulsy affect his selection for internationals. If I was him that would be a dissapointment. What he needs is a small step up but still to get a fair chunk of game time to help him develop, he would have had that at Ajax and possibly even with us, but his head got turned by the lure of Real Madrid, mark my words he'll regret this choice when he's goes form being hot property to just another member of the very talented youth ranks at Real Madrid.

Well the Liverpool fan has signed for Real Madrid.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30927958

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

Locked.