With goals proving easy to come by, many Newcastle have pined for Elias Sorensen to be given a first-team chance.
The young striker has scored 19 goals so far this season, as the Magpies youth side enjoy a great campaign. That great campaign guided them to a Checkatrade Trophy tie against Sunderland’s first-team, that ended with the Black Cats winning 4-0.
While Newcastle weren’t expected to win, the performance in the first half was impressive. But while certain players did well on a bigger stage, Sorensen didn’t quite look ready.
Sorensen needs to work to become a Benitez player
The 19-year-old barely got a kick before being replaced in the 56th minute by Yannick Toure.
Some fans pointed out that this is what they have come to expect from Sorensen, with the forward often not getting involved before poaching another goal for himself.
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While you can’t argue with his goal return, his style of play might not suit first-team boss Rafa Benitez.
Since the Spaniard arrived, he has craved a defensive forward who can lead the line, hold the ball up and get his team up the pitch. After various attempts, Benitez has finally found his answer with Salomon Rondon. The Venezuelan is a brute up top, bullying centre-backs and bringing his teammates into the game.
Right now, Sorensen could not do that. Newcastle can’t afford to carry a player for 90 minutes on the off chance they create a golden chance for him to tuck away. They need someone in a similar mould to Rondon who can impact the game without necessarily scoring.
This is not to say that Sorensen won’t succeed under Benitez, he just needs to develop further.
He needs to experience senior football. Therefore, it’s good news that Newcastle are reportedly thinking about getting him out on loan this month.