OPINION
Newcastle United have both a poor record when it comes to pushing young prospects through their youth system into the first team as well as getting their senior strikers firing on all cylinders.
The last notable breakthrough star was current first team star Paul Dummett, while at the other end of the pitch the club have scored just seven Premier League goals – Joselu leading the charts with two.
However, there may well be someone who could kill both birds with one stone – Elias Sorensen.
The 19-year-old might not be a household name on Tyneside, let alone the rest of the country, but for those keeping a close eye on the Magpies’ reserve fixtures he will be someone very familiar having netted 14 goals for the under-23s, the latest coming on Friday night in a 1-1 draw with Southampton.
His exceptional goal scoring record has seen some supporters call for Rafael Benitez to be handed a place in the first team squad – a move which has not yet been forthcoming from the Spaniard.
Now, Shields Gazette journalist Miles Starforth has revealed that Newcastle’s plans for the teenage talent could lie elsewhere as a loan move is touted, although the reporter insisted he could remain at St James’ Park too.
Elias Sorensen scored another goal last night. Won't necessarily be loaned out in January. Could stay with Under-23s for rest of the season. #nufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) November 10, 2018
While Benitez is clearly yet to decide on where the teenager’s future lies, the Spaniard’s decision should really be a no brainer – and it involves keeping him on the banks of the Tyne instead of sending him away.
The Magpies have previously seen hot striker prospects – namely Adam Campbell and Adam Armstrong – struggle to make the grade on loan which has ended with them leaving St James’ Park and failing to hit the expected heights.
The same mistake cannot be made with Sorensen and it is up to Benitez to ensure the red hot youngster’s development is watched over by him and his backroom staff.
It is not every day you have a Champions League winning manager to guide you, and Sorensen would only flourish further by sticking around.
Who knows – he might even break into the first team – and Benitez needs to keep him around to give him that chance.