Óscar Rodríguez joins Leganés on loan!

Óscar Rodríguez’s time at Real Madrid Castilla has come to an end, as he was announced as a Leganés player on Monday. The La Liga side have secured his services on loan for the 2018/19 season, and he is expected to become a fully fledged member of the senior team. Óscar becomes just the latest name on the huge list of players that have made the step up to a top league in recent seasons.

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To many, this may come as a surprise after Óscar had a disappointing first professional season with Castilla in Segunda División B. Whilst Solari initially misplayed him, opting to field him in a more defensive position, he was eventually given free reigns to his preferred offensive midfield position. Despite picking up some semi-decent statistics along the way, Óscar never really stepped up - and ended up putting in just one memorable performance all year.

Because of this, a step up to La Liga seems a very rash and poorly judged decision. Of course, you never really know what a player is unable to showcase under Solari, and Óscar is an undeniably talented player. However, Rodríguez will now find himself competing with at least two other far more experienced La Liga players, in a completely different environment. One that will be far more unforgiving should he prove to be surplus to requirements. If this move goes to plan, Real Madrid could have a homegrown La Liga standard attacking midfielder on their hands come next season. If it does not go to plan however...

Óscar’s move also turns my attention to a certain Martin Ødegaard. Martin is a player who requires no less than a top league move, preferably to La Liga, after spending over a year at Heerenveen. Yet here we are witnessing the very raw Óscar Rodríguez prematurely secure that move, whilst Ødegaard is strongly linked to an English Championship switch, a switch that would surely be fatal. As it stands, the only thing standing in the way of Real Madrid’s long term youth entrusting world domination master-plan, is Real Madrid themselves. I wish Óscar all the best and will be following his progress closely this season, lets hope that he can step up to the humongous challenge ahead of him!