Arsenal’s captain was 15 at the time and his father was trying to filter the clamour. His phone lit up daily with proposals from Europe’s biggest clubs and then came a call-up to Norway’s senior squad. Football reporters began travelling across Europe to find out what the fuss was all about.
‘The big danger for every young kid is that they are satisfied too quickly,’ Hans-Erik Odegaard told me with the wisdom of a former footballer turned coach, as we discussed his son’s future in the humble surroundings of Stromsgodset’s stadium in Drammen back in August 2014. ‘They need a hunger to improve.’
On Saturday, precisely 10 years on, Martin Odegaard was leading Arsenal to victory at Aston Villa, looking to improve on last season.
Now he is in his prime with all that potential realised. And still he performs with delightful fluency, taking the ball on the half-turn, riding the first challenge, stroking around passes easily enough to see from high in the stands, but less obvious in the thick of the action.
Then he finds the one nobody in the ground expects, like the reverse pass to Bukayo Saka in the lead-up to Leandro Trossard’s goal at Villa Park.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is in the peak of his career with his potential fully realised
He was tracked by Europe’s leading clubs when he was playing for Stroemsgodset aged 15
How Mail Sport reported on a 15-year-old Odegaard a decade ago as he starred in Norway
It is a reminder of Odegaard’s understanding of the game, his appreciation of the patterns shifting around him, and it took me back to that trip to Norway a decade ago, when the talent was plain to see but nothing was guaranteed.
Football is littered with the wrecks of burned out wonderkids. Odegaard’s decision to select Real Madrid from a long list of suitors seemed to backfire and his resolve must have been tested as they gave him the once over in Spain before sending him on loan to the Netherlands.
In Drammen, nobody flinched. Those who knew him and his family were confident his attitude would see him through and he would prosper.
Even today, as he fulfils his potential to rank among the best in Europe, selected by his peers in the PFA’s Premier League team of the year last week, Odegaard remains hungry and motivated to achieve more with club and country.
Norway take on Kazakhstan and Austria in the Nations League next month with plenty of room for improvement after failing to qualifying for the Euros, while at club level he is yet to experience the thrill of major honours.
There was a winner’s medal in the Copa del Rey from a loan spell at Real Sociedad, but the all-Basque final was delayed for a year because of the Covid pandemic and by the time they had hands on the trophy he was on loan at Arsenal.
By coincidence, Mikel Merino was man of the match in the final against Athletic Bilbao and is on his way from San Sebastian to north London to join him again, no doubt hoping the pair can re-establish the same successful midfield connection.
At Arsenal, where they have a habit of giving the captaincy to the wrong person for all the wrong reasons, Odegaard has matured into a natural leader.
Odegaard’s decision to sign for Real Madrid appeared to backfire as he was sent out on loan
The Norwegian’s camp refused to panic when he was loaned to the Netherlands by Real Madrid
Odegaard later won the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad before moving to Arsenal on loan
On the pitch, he leads quietly by example. His silky style fits the brand created under Arsene Wenger and his magical left foot evokes memories of Liam Brady from another era.
Off it, he is prepared to stand before the media and take responsibility. He is a perfect mentor to Arsenal’s emerging stars.
At 15, Ethan Nwaneri was the youngest to appear in the Premier League when he debuted against Brentford. That was almost two years ago. Nwaneri has made only one league appearance since, but what’s the rush?
Just look at Odegaard’s timeline from schoolboy star at Stromsgodset to becoming an established star for an elite club. It is worth bearing in mind at a time when Premier League clubs are investing millions in the world’s best teenage talent and expecting an instant return.
Odegaard and Nwaneri featured in conversation for a video on club media during the pre-season tour of the USA. ‘Play your game and play with confidence,’ was the advice from the skipper.
He also promised that there will come a time when the fascination with age will end and talk about broken records are eclipsed by the football he plays. Football is impatient, but Odegaard has become a fine example.
Hans-Erik can be proud. He has returned to the coaching career he put on hold to help Martin negotiate the early stages of his career and is jointly in charge of Sandefjord, one of the clubs where he played. They are bumping along at the bottom of Norway’s Eliteserien, while Martin eyes the top of the Premier League.
Odegaard quietly leads by example at Arsenal and was named in the PFA Team of the Year
His path to the top could serve as inspiration for Arsenal’s young talent Ethan Nwaneri (left)
The Arsenal captain is now setting his sights on leading Arsenal to the Premier League title
FIVE THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK…
Brighton deserve praise for Welbeck revival
Danny Welbeck has scored more Premier League goals and played more games for Brighton than any of his other clubs. They signed him on a free at 29 after a string of injuries and his release by Watford.
The talent spotting at the Amex attracts plenty of plaudits for unearthing hidden gems, but to revive Welbeck, keep him fit and squeeze 25 goals out of him is impressive in another way. At 33, he has started this season with two goals.
Danny Welbeck has scored more Premier League goals for Brighton than any of his other clubs
Satisfying to see Szmodics step-up
Ipswich have spent big on the best players in the Championship, which can be risky if you end up paying Premier League prices for a very good Championship team.
But it’s satisfying to see players step up with confidence, as Sam Szmodics did with a goal on his full debut at Manchester City.
Some clubs will regret not moving for Viktor Gyokeres when he left Coventry last year.
Sammie Szmodics scored against Man City having stepped up from the Championship
Spurs set to cash-in on Clarke transfer
Tottenham will receive a healthy cut of Jack Clarke’s transfer fee to Ipswich, having inserted a sell-on clause of 25 per cent when making his loan move to Sunderland permanent in 2022.
That’s nearly £5million, which doesn’t buy much in the Premier League but is not to be sniffed at.
Exeter transformed their academy with the sell-on fee when Ollie Watkins joined Aston Villa and now Peterborough are praying Ivan Toney does not leave Brentford on a free when his deal is up next year.
Jack Clarke has joined Ipswich, with another ex-Tottenham youngster filling hits boots at Sunderland in winger Romaine Mundle
Former Spurs product steps into Clarke’s shoes
No sooner does one former Tottenham winger leave Sunderland than another steps into his boots.
Romaine Mundle rejected a Spurs contract last summer to sign for Standard Liege, where he made little impression before moving to Wearside in January.
On Saturday Mundle, 21, scored the only goal against Burnley to take Sunderland top of the Championship.
Kilman impresses striding out of Hammers’ defence
If there are shades of Arjen Robben about West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen when he accelerates, chops on to his left foot and shoots low, there were shades of Rudi Krol about Max Kilman as he strode out of defence and passed for Bowen’s goal at Crystal Palace.
Summer signing Max Kilman impressed striding out of the West Ham defence on Saturday