Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has heaped praise on Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard for his recent upturn in form.
Speaking on a Sky Sports panel after Arsenal’s game against Leicester City this past weekend, as quoted by football.london, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lavished praise on Martin Odegaard. The Chelsea icon pointed towards the Norwegian playmaker’s evolution over the course of the 2021/22 season.
Martin Odegaard first burst onto the limelight when he joined Real Madrid several years ago as a teenage prodigy. But things did not work out as envisioned for the Norwegian playmaker, who embarked on various loan spells but could never return to Real Madrid to establish a foothold in the first-team squad.
His last loan spell was at Arsenal, joining the Gunners for the second half of the 2020/21 season. And after impressing during his short stay at the Emirates, the north Londoners wished to sign him permanently. But Odegaard was initially determined to succeed at Real Madrid before realising that he was deemed surplus to requirements.
Odegaard subsequently rejoined Arsenal on a permanent deal last summer, although the start to his next spell was not as bright as he would have envisioned. But the 23-year-old has gradually grown in stature at the Emirates, amassing five goals and four assists in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Odegaard’s latest impressive performance came against Leicester City this past weekend. The Norwegian international did not score a goal or provide an assist but was still a standout performer for Arsenal. And speaking after the game, Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lauded Odegaard for his recent upturn in form and fortunes.
“Having that pressure as a 16-year-old, it was seen as a big thing moving to Real Madrid, and young players going to Real Madrid playing in the first-team, they do not get the room to make those mistakes.”
“You do not get that at Real Madrid. He came to Arsenal last year, but he was put in the team and still was given the chance because they believe in him. And at the beginning of the season, he was not the player that he is now, but again, he was allowed to make mistakes and as a young player, those mistakes help you grow.”
Hasselbaink is correct in his assessment, as Odegaard has slowly grown in stature at Arsenal after a rocky start to the season. Odegaard himself pointed out the difference between Arsenal and Real Madrid in a recent interview, and it looks like he has struck gold at the north London club.
