Brian Oddei, a promising young footballer who now plays for NK Rudes discusses his loan spell in Croatia.
The Ghanaian-born Italian midfielder caught the attention of many football fans, particularly after his debut under the tutelage of coach Roberto De Zerbi who now manages Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion.
Oddei after his debut produced two assists against Cagliari and Rome for Boga and Raspadori but his career did not take the expected turn: first the loan to Crotone in Serie B with mixed success, then a return to the neroverde, with two appearances and 6 months out of the squad, he was loaned to NK Rudes.
Speaking to Sassuolo News Oddei reflected on his debut and playing under Roberto De Zerbi.
You are now out with an injury. How are you and when is the return expected? "Yes, I'm returning but I won't be called up for the next match because the club doesn't want to risk it but I should be there for the next one."
How's the adventure going in Croatia? How are you finding yourself both on and off the pitch? What level did you find in the Croatian league? "I'm getting on well. I've never had a problem going outside Italy, I can adapt because I also speak English. I've been here for about a month and I need some time to understand, but I'm fine. Here is it's a good level, I've found good and quality players. There's a good championship to show off my skills. Croatia has been doing well for years with the national team, there are many eyes watching the Croatian championships, there are many players who go from B to A every year, I consider it a good championship".
Did you get to talk to Erlic before accepting NK Rudes' offer? "No, everything happened quickly and I wasn't able to talk to him. I wanted to ask him for advice but I couldn't meet him even though I really wanted to."
Why couldn't you find a team in Italy, not even in January? Did you give yourself an explanation? "I haven't been able to give myself an explanation. I don't know. To be frank: nobody wanted me! I don't know why, I'm not here pointing fingers, saying this or that, but it happened that in Italy I had no offers and had to go elsewhere. This is the motivation, but it's not the end of the world, we go on. I always say that the important thing is to arrive, it doesn't count to leave first. If you have qualities, dedication, sacrifice and commitment, above all, then you get there. Quality or talent alone are not enough, if you have all this you can always get there".
Can you tell me about your beginnings? Did you start in Maranello then? "I had several tryouts, in many teams, and in the end I had to go to Bologna, I also signed for them, then a few things happened but I also had a tryout in Sassuolo, I didn't want to go far from home. Things it didn't go well with Bologna, Sassuolo arrived and wanted me and in the end I went to Sassuolo and I've always been there".
How important was director Palmieri for your growth? "He was the one who wanted me. The director has always been important to me, he has been a second dad for me. He has always helped me, he has always been there for me, he has always defended me in front of everyone, he has always believed in my qualities, he has always said it to me but also to others. I know he will always be there for me to help me. I have a wonderful relationship with him, he says things to my face, both positive and negative, he is a straightforward person, not he comes to tell lies. I really appreciate his figure and I still thank him today because he has always believed in my qualities, he has been important in this small journey I have made so far".
If I tell you January 10, 2021? it was enough for the ball to go out, then Berardi scored and I never went in again but there was still an incredible emotion. With Juve, at the Stadium, I go to warm up, and then around 70' De Zerbi calls me and there I said: 'Let's hope nothing happens and he'll let me in'. I didn't expect it after Obiang's expulsion, there were more experienced players than me, but he calls me and lets me in. There I no longer understood anything, I was like in a competitive trance, I couldn't wait to show my qualities and I even risked scoring. I was happy". I didn't expect it after Obiang's expulsion, there were more experienced players than me, instead he calls me and lets me in. There I no longer understood anything, I was like in a competitive trance, I couldn't wait to show my qualities and I even risked scoring. I was happy". I didn't expect it after Obiang's expulsion, there were more experienced players than me, instead he calls me and lets me in. There I no longer understood anything, I was like in a competitive trance, I couldn't wait to show my qualities and I even risked scoring. I was happy".
To then get to the other clips, and the assists against Cagliari and Rome. "Yes, after Juve I entered much more often. I made two assists against Cagliari and Roma. In Cagliari I saw Boga, I put the ball to him, and it went well because he scored. With Roma I didn't see Raspa, I made the opener, I went to the back and put it in, luckily Raspadori was there and he scored. They were two wonderful experiences."
Who helped you the most during your experience with the first team at Sassuolo? "Junior Traoré in particular, but also with Boga, I always hear Junior, we are like brothers, he has always given me the right advice. There have also been many other players who have given me a hand such as Maxime Lopez, Defrel, Obiang himself who has always given me advice and sometimes I even go out with him, Berardi himself, I have a wonderful relationship with him and when I arrived in Croatia he made jokes to me and told me to commit myself, but also the two Brazilians Matheus Henrique and Ruan, but I repeat, in particular I have established a wonderful relationship with Traoré who has always given me a hand".
If I tell you De Zerbi? Do you remember a particular tip that stuck in your mind? I chose you because you are strong and you have to show me that you are the strongest in here and that what I think is true'. I also did well in that match, those words excited me a lot, hearing those words from a coach of that caliber gives you more security".
Last season instead 6 months at Crotone where you didn't find much space: what didn't work? "It was a particular year, Crotone wanted to recover immediately after relegation to B. It went badly for me but also for many others. I didn't play much but I think I did well when I was deployed, I was often the best I don't take only the negative, on the contrary, this experience can help me in the future, how to make certain choices, how to do certain things on the pitch, for example when I returned to Sassuolo I understood other things, that experience made me grow ".
Then you returned to Sassuolo, a couple of appearances. Then you were put out of the squad: can you explain to us what happened? "I don't know why but I accepted it. I wasn't part of the team, I was out of the squad. The coach made his choices, if he decided that way, I don't have any problem with him and neither does he with me, I think. I don't know why this choice was made but I don't see it as a rejection. I then trained with the Primavera."
What relationship did you have with coach Dionisi? Has he ever told you about this choice? "When I returned I went to talk to him, he knew I had to leave and therefore for him I had to leave to grow because Berardi and other veterans were in my role, I didn't ask for explanations".
You have always been considered a great talent: how did you live with all this? Do you think there have been too many expectations or can you not think about them? "I've never felt pressure. I recognize my qualities, I don't think the expectations were too high. I know that if it hasn't happened now, to demonstrate my qualities, there will soon be a chance for others to see it."
Future: where do you see yourself next year and where do you see yourself in 5 years? "I don't know. Now I don't have a clear idea of what I'm going to do next year but I hope that next year and in five years too, whether it's here or somewhere else, who believes in my qualities and gives me the space to demonstrate my qualities, may I be happy".