Rio Ferdinand (Mike Egerton/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been the Premier League Player of the Season so far, in Rio Ferdinand’s eyes.
A stunning first half of the campaign has left the Gunners eight points clear at the top of the table with the Norwegian midfielder claiming eight goals and five assists.
That led to former Manchester United star Ferdinand making a lofty claim about the Gunners star, who he feels has been better than 21-goal forward Erling Haaland.
“Odegaard is nuts,” Ferdinand told his YouTube channel.
“What I like about Odegaard is his journey. He was a child superstar at 16, bought by Real Madrid, everyone was saying this kid's the next this and that.
“He might not be the guy he is now without that part of his history. I like his journey.
“There's been trials and tribulations, expectations have been through the roof, ‘Going to be the next superstar’. And all of a sudden he's had to humble himself, go on loan.
“For a player to go on loan at a much [smaller] quality and stature of club with pride and ego, you have to take a battering and humble yourself, come back, build yourself up then go to Arsenal, take the captaincy and run with it.”
He added: “I’d go as far as to say right now, he’s probably my player of the year. Haaland’s has done what he’s done, he has been great, don’t get me wrong. If Haaland eases up with the goals and Arsenal win the league and Odegaard continues, he’s my player of the year.”
