In a recent tweet, Onda Cero journalist Edu Pidal has offered an update on the future of Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola this summer. It is believed that the Spanish right-back is not a part of Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team plans for the new campaign.
Álvaro Odriozola, con contrato hasta 2024, no entra en los planes de Carlo Ancelotti para la próxima temporada.
El club ya se lo ha transmitido al jugador, que ha sondeado la opción de recalar en Italia: Inter y Milan, dos de las opciones. pic.twitter.com/vOfZlDvzJL
— EDU PIDAL (@edupidal) June 10, 2021
Odrizola’s Injury Ravaged Campaign In Spanish Football
Odriozola endured an injury-plagued season at the Spanish capital but still managed to put in a few impressive displays for the Madrid outfit down the right flank. The Spaniard scored two goals and picked up two yellow cards in 16 matches for Los Blancos last season in various competitions.
The 25-year-old struggled to be consistent in the attacking third as he averaged 1.1 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 0.6 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the previous La Liga campaign. However, he was excellent with his ball distribution after completing 90.6% of his attempted passes in the Spanish first division (stats via whoscored).
Odriozola’s current deal with Los Blancos runs out in the summer of 2024 but the lack of game time and frequent injuries has put his future at Madrid in doubt. Now that he is not a part of Ancelotti’s plans for the new season, he should think about switching clubs in search of more playing minutes in the coming seasons.
What Should Be Ancelotti’s Play Here With Regards To Odriozola?
Odriozola has served as a decent utility player at times under Real Madrid’s former manager Zinedine Zidane’s stewardship last season. He is a solid defensive presence down the right-wing and can also get forward to deliver some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box. The four-time Spain international is primarily a right-back but can also fill in as a right-winger if needed which made him such a useful member of Zidane’s squad.
However, Odriozola has sometimes lacked consistency on the field which could be why Ancelotti has not included him in his plans for the upcoming campaign. Either way, the Italian head coach has no reason to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium beyond this summer and should consider cashing in on him if a suitable offer arrives from another club this summer.
At 25, Odriozola has plenty of time left to get his career back on track but he would be wise to seal a move away from Madrid so that he can find some form at the highest level. Los Blancos should also look to use the money generated from his potential sale to find a suitable replacement who would be capable of playing first-team football for them every week in the Spanish top-flight next season.
