Real Sociedad sealed their first Copa del Rey appearance since 1988 on Wednesday night by defeating Mirandes 1-0 in their semifinal second leg. The Royal have had a tremendous season in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
After finishing ninth in La Liga last term and changing managers halfway through the season, expectations weren’t too high heading into the 2019-20 campaign. But expectations have changed and Real Sociedad could win their first piece of silverware since lifting the 2009-10 Segunda trophy.
The key to Real Sociedad’s transformation is on-loan Real Madrid player Martin Odegaard. His seven goals and eight assists in 27 games in league and cup competition have powered the Royal this season. Odegaard has had a hand in 55% of Real Sociedad’s scoring.
The attacking midfielder isn’t just a goalscorer and creator. Odegaard has lended his skills to the defensive end averaging 1.0 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game.
While those stats aren’t breathtaking, it is the 21-year-old's work on the offensive end that has caught the eyes of onlookers at the Anoeta.
Odegaard averages 1.9 shots, 2.4 key passes, and 2.5 dribbles per game in La Liga. His key passes and dribbles per match are the best of Real Sociedad’s squad which also features the high-rated Mikel Oyarzabal.
Real Sociedad’s capture of Odegaard on loan this season was quite the coup. Signed by Real Madrid in 2015, Odegaard was just 16 which turned heads.
The signing came after the midfielder starred for Norway’s Strømsgodset at the tender age of 15 and he had already made his senior international debut by the time Real Madrid unveiled him.
Compared to other players to sign for Real Madrid, Odegaard has not been rushed. The likes of Robinho and more recently Vinicius Jr were thrust into the spotlight by Real Madrid soon after signing. Yet, Odegaard has been different.
He has spent the last two and a half seasons on loan playing for the Netherlands’ Heerenveen and Vitesse before joining Real Sociedad for the current campaign.
Real Madrid are atop La Liga as it stands following their El Clasico win over Barcelona. But the current Real Madrid are not like the teams of just a few years ago. The club are in a transition phase making it the perfect time to bring Odegaard back to the club.
It would be a frightening sight to see Odegaard, Eden Hazard, and Vinicius Jr playing as a three-man attack behind Karim Benzema. If Odegaard doesn’t have a place at the Santiago Bernabeu next season, then he should be the hottest transfer target of the summer.