In our Real Madrid Loan Watch feature, the Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a selection of players from the club are doing whilst they are away from their home and provide a brief update regarding their progress.
Martin Odegaard – Real Sociedad
Martin Odegaard is currently experiencing his third loan spell away from Real Madrid with fellow La Liga outfit Real Sociedad, and has started the campaign brightly after scoring two goals in his opening four games from midfield.
The 20-year-old was on target at the weekend as Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid 2-0, and has this season averaged 3 successful dribbles and 2.3 key passes per match for his temporary employers (WhoScored).
Odegaard has also averaged a pass completion rate of 86.1%, while firing two shots on target in each of his four appearances for Sociedad so far, showing just what a talented prospect he can be if provided adequate game-time in the Spanish top-flight.
Dani Ceballos – Arsenal
Dani Ceballos has taken to life in England well so far. The Real Madrid midfielder, currently on loan with Arsenal, has featured five times for the Gunners, registering two assists in the 2-1 win over Burnley last month, per Transfermarkt.
The 23-year-old has averaged 1 key pass, 1 shot on target and 1.4 successful dribbles in his opening five games for the north Londoners, per WhoScored, and has frequently looked Arsenal’s most creative spark in midfield.
Ceballos has become somewhat of a fan favourite at the Emirates since his arrival in the summer, with the Gunners faithful even coming up with a new chant for the Spaniard, which they sung throughout Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Watford.
Luca Zidane – Racing Santander
One player who Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane will be keeping a close eye on this season is goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the Frenchman’s son who is currently on loan with Segunda División outfit Racing Santander.
The 47-year-old will be fairly happy with what he’s seen so far, too, as the 21-year-old has played four of the club’s opening six matches, and on Saturday kept his first clean sheet of the campaign during a 4-0 win over CD Mirandes.
With the goalkeeping situation at the Bernabeu slightly up in the air at present – following the departure of Keylor Navas to PSG in the summer – Real only have one recognised permanent shot-stopper amongst their ranks, with backup Alphonse Areola only on a season-long loan from the Ligue 1 champions this term.
This means that if Zidane impresses on loan this term, he could find himself as Madrid’s designated No.2 next season, where he can then try and force his way into the first-team ahead of Courtois.
