I think people are harsh on Ødegaard. He got a bit unfairly hyped up after the West Ham game and he's similarly been a little unfairly criticised lately because we've forced him to play with persistent injuries by the looks of it. There's no doubt in my mind he has enough in his locker to be one of the best in the world at his position someday. Lad has a pair of deadly quick feet to match a very quick brain in congested areas. It's the decision-making when he can't play on instinct that needs to improve a little.
The issue we're facing is that he's a couple of years older than Smith-Rowe, probably very expensive, and yet, due to Real Madrid's mistreatment of him, not that much more experienced at the highest level. I agree with Qwiss that Smith-Rowe has had better performances as a #10 this season, and I just think he makes us a little more dynamic and less predictable. With squad quotas getting stricter now he and Saka have to be the main considerations when we move forward. I'd keep Ødegaard in a heartbeat if there was a good solution to be had, but I don't think there is one. We'd spend an awful lot of money we don't have on someone who'd push one of our best players onto the wing.
