Tore Andre Flo backs Martin Odegaard to be back to his best in 2025

Tore Andre Flo built up quite a resume during a professional career that lasted nearly 20 years. The Norwegian turned up for clubs in his homeland before moving to the Premier League and scoring 34 goals for Chelsea. He followed that up with spells at Rangers, Sunderland, Siena and more.

With the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth being key figures for their respective clubs, we sat down with Flo to discuss his fellow countrymen’s performances in the 2024-25 season and what changes they could make.

Martin Odegaard will quickly be back to his top level

Arsenal endured a disappointing season by their standards, finishing second in the Premier League yet again as they lacked the offensive firepower needed to provide a strong challenge to Liverpool. Club captain Martin Odegaard’s performances were put under the microscope once again, as the Norwegian failed to replicate his numbers from the 2023-24 season.

Odegaard scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions in 2023-24. His figures dropped to three goals and 12 assists in 2024-25 in an injury-plagued campaign.

Flo acknowledges the midfielder’s struggles this season but believes he will rebound when things get back underway in August.

“I worked quite a bit with the under 21 national team when he was there, and he is one of the nicest and best professional players I have ever worked with. He will bounce back, and I don't think he has played badly lately.”

“I saw him play for Norway not long ago and he was absolutely brilliant, so he will quickly be back up there again.”

Flo also argues that Odegaard’s supposed “underperformance” is subjective, as he’s captained a club that finished second. By that logic, there are a lot of clubs and players who’ve done worse.

“If we look at it, Arsenal are second in the league and are doing quite well, so to say the club and Odegaard are not doing well… Then there are a lot of clubs and players who aren´t doing well.”

“I really believe in him and I like him.”

No need for Erling Haaland to move away from Man City

Another Norwegian who failed to live up to sky-high standards this season was Erling Haaland. While the Man City striker won two consecutive Premier League Golden Boots in 2023 and 2024, he finished third this time out, having scored 22 goals. That’s his lowest tally in his three seasons in the league.

While Haaland is a key player for Pep Guardiola, transfer rumours always link him to the likes of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Flo’s advice for his compatriot, however, is to stay put.

“I definitely think he should stay at Manchester City. I can't see any better option. Yes, Manchester City has had a bit of a down season compared to what we have seen before. But the expectations are sky high, and as soon as he doesn't score in a game, people will say he is out of form.”

“Young players get a dip sometimes, but I can't see Haaland not scoring goals in the future. He will start scoring a lot of goals again, I am sure about that.”

A loan deal could be a good option for Oscar Bobb

Flo’s advice for Haaland’s teammate Oscar Bobb, however, is different as he has urged him to consider a loan spell away from the Etihad in order to get more minutes.

Flo shares that Bobb is regarded as one of the biggest talents that Norway has produced, and it is important for him to get more playing minutes so that he can start to live up to the hype.

“I don´t know Oscar Bobb inside out like I know Odegaard, but I work in the Norwegian FA and some of the coaches there that have worked with him tell me that he is the biggest talent they have ever seen.”

“He hasn´t played as much as he hoped, but he has been injured and plays for one of the best teams in the world. It wouldn´t be a bad idea to get a move on loan and then come back to Manchester City again.”

“I can see many advantages in doing that.”

Arsenal would be a good fit for Alexander Sorloth

Another Norwegian international who enjoyed a solid 2024-25 season was Alexander Sorloth. The striker scored 20 goals in La Liga and Flo thinks he could be a good answer to Arsenal’s problems up front.

Flo also mentions that he wants to see Sorloth play against tougher competition in the Premier League to ascertain his overall quality.

“I would like to see Sorloth at one of those big Premier League clubs. The Premier League is where you are tested to your maximum. La Liga is a very good league and the best teams might be the best teams in the world, but the gap between the best teams and the bottom is bigger than in the Premier League.”

“It would be nice to see him in the Premier League. He is doing really well, but as a player he would be more challenged if he played in the Premier League.”

“Any of the big teams would be a good fit, but if he could play for Arsenal it would be good for him. They are looking for a striker and they are a big team.”

Jermaine Pennant gives his thoughts on the pressure Martin Odegaard is under at Arsenal