Uzumaki Tony@thearsfamily97
I don't know why it's hard for people to understand that leadership is not about who the best player is.
It's also not about who the loudest shouter is, that is an archaic view of leadership.
On the pitch, you need a leader that solves problems, not just barks at teammates. Ødegaard has the highest game IQ in the squad (second is Merino). He's Arteta on the pitch. He instructs everyone on where they should be and he doesn't need to do that by screaming or going up a teammates face and shouting.
If we are finding it hard to progress, Ødegaard will drop from beside Saka to just metres from the goalkeeper. Ødegaard loves to roam. If Saliba is given the ball and has no options to pass to, Ødegaard will roam even outside the opponent block so that he can be a passing option for Saliba.
It also helps that he has insane control of the ball, so even a mediocre pass can be handled well by him. Receiving with his back to goal, receiving when facing forward, receiving when on his side, left hand side, right hand side, centre, receiving deep, receiving high. It doesn't matter, he will receive your pass, control it, evade the press, and pass to another player or carry forward.
They told you Saka was holding Ødegaard's hand when in reality, it was a symbiotic relationship. Turns out having Ødegaard next to him a lot was a benefit rather than 'clogging Saka's spaces'. Without Ødegaard, I still saw Saka getting doubled in the wings vs City. What happened? I thought he blocked Saka's routes?
You lot complained about Ødegaard dropping deep and Zubimendi going high, but that's why you're fans, not a manager. See what we look like when he doesn't drop deep. This isn't just an isolated incident. It has been an issue for most of this year. A good game vs Leverkusen doesn't change the fact that we've been seeing progression issues from deep within the squad.
Other than Locatelli, NO player in the world is better at progressing the ball than Ødegaard. And Locatelli does his progression via passes, Ødegaard does it via passes and carries.
You never know what you have until it's gone. Fans keep saying nonsense like they want fast, exciting, less possession based game. While I understand that sentiment, it increases the variance for the other team.
