He’s been on some of Europe’s biggest radars for the last little while and according to reports by uk.eurosport.yahoo.com, Martin Odegaard has chosen his next club. To put it simply, his decision was the right one. Since his international debut during the Euro qualifiers representing his home land of Norway, the incredible 15 year old has been linked to Juventus, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain and Athletico Madrid. Although the list of interested scouts bears no weak links, Odegaard looks to have taken the interest of the elite and made a rational decision to continue his footballing career elsewhere – elsewhere being in Amsterdam for decorated club Ajax.
There is no statement as to why the Stromsgodset IF midfielder snubbed some of the biggest names in football for Ajax, but it does prove his ability to avoid seeing through the smoke screen in a world of rumours and money.
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Firstly, going to Ajax should guarantee Odegaard better playing time and potential starting appearances during the season versus other clubs whose starting eleven, as well as bench is overwhelming with talent, whom some of which do not even see the light of day. If Ajax can continue their reign in The Netherlands to enter them into the Champions League during his time with the club, the likely hood of Odegaard gaining European experience is even greater.
Ajax currently sit 2nd in the Dutch Eredivisie table, with a squad who behold a plethora of youthful talent that has also been seen in the Champions League against much greater clubs. This includes their resistance of Paris St Germain, in their opening campaign this season, forcing the Parsians into a draw, where on paper, PSG stand as the stronger side with foreign investments and more experience rich players. Ajax’s current squad averages at 22.7 in age, giving Odegaard a fair chance at entering the big leagues in Europe, but also finding his rhythm properly.
The club also has one of the most golden histories in all of Europe, just because the Dutch side has not found European success in a number of years, does not discount the continued success they achieve in the Netherlands – Ajax also have one of the most recognizable ‘hall of fame’ in football. It includes the likes of the world’s top attacking players, who have paved the way for youngsters such as Odegaard to increase the legacy of the club in Amsterdam and Europe. The likes of Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp and Wesley Sneijder just to name a few, who have used Ajax as a platform for a lift off to their current success. What should also be noted is that these players have also included international acclaim to their careers, which should be a beacon of light for things to come for Odegaard.
Either way, the Norwegian has made an intelligible decision, masking the garbage from the articulate and shown the football world that perhaps his thought process is just as smart as his skill set.