Elias Sorensen has had two loan spells away from Newcastle, and to describe them both as disasters wouldn’t be putting it lightly.
The youngster went to Blackpool last season, but only made one League One appearance for the Tangerines. This season he went to a League Two side, joining Carlisle United where he seemed certain to score goals.
But Sorensen is now back at Newcastle, with his loan deal terminated early after just nine appearances in all competitions. And yet again, he didn’t score a single goal.
In contrast, he’s been prolific for the Magpies’ youth sides. He scored 12 times in 17 Premier League 2 appearances last season, leading to some people wanting him to get a crack in the first-team.
The Newcastle hierarchy thought better of it, sending him out on loan to get more senior experience.
But this is two loans in a row that have gone terribly wrong. So is it the player that is the problem?
Either way, it’s not worth the risk of sending him out to a third club. The same could easily happen yet again, and we could have an Adam Armstrong situation on our hands again where he’s just destined not to make it at Newcastle.
Sorensen needs to get his confidence back. He’ll do that by scoring goals. And the only place he can do that is with the Newcastle Under-23s.
The 20-year-old should continue his development with the academy and wait for an opportunity with the first-team. There might be a situation similar to the Longstaffs where the manager has no choice but to play Sorensen. If he takes it, he’s a made man.
Look at Harry Kane. He had four loan spells away from Tottenham, but was hardly prolific wherever he went. Nowadays he’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League, Tottenham’s main man, the England captain and a World Cup Golden Boot winner.
Sorensen should stay with Newcastle, score goals for the reserves and take his first-team chance when it comes his way.
Loan spells haven’t worked, and a third disaster might scar him beyond repair.
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