OPINION
Rafa Benitez is right to keep Newcastle United attacker Elias Sorensen locked away in the academy despite him being a potential source of goals.
The 19-year-old forward has been in prolific form, unlike the senior side, this season as he has scored 12 goals for the Magpies’ second string this term.
In fact Sorensen has scored an impressive five goals in seven outings in the Premier League 2 this season and is rightly gaining a lot of attention.
However despite scoring goals for fun this season, the teenager hasn’t been afforded an opportunity in the first-team despite goals being a rare occurrence for them.
Benitez has now suggested that he is unlikely to start using Sorensen anytime soon and his remarks are more than justified.
“We have been watching him and I had a conversation with Ben Dawson only yesterday,” admitted the Magpies boss in an interview with the Chronicle.
“We have spoken about it, everybody wants to see young players coming through into the Academy and into the first team
“When the team is in the Premier League it is more difficult, when the team is at the bottom of the Premier League it is even more difficult for them, you can put them into a difficult position.
“Do they have the character and personality to go straight into a team that isn’t winning? It is more difficult for the young players.”
Benitez is right to keep Sorensen locked away as not only would it be a huge step up for him to start featuring for the first-team, it could see his confidence shatter.
The 19-year-old is clearly enjoying his football and developing nicely but St James Park is an unforgiving place at the moment as fans are rightly frustrating that the team are still yet to win.
While Magpies supporters are understanding if Sorensen missed a costly opportunity, they may inadvertently vent their frustration in a manner that will effect his development.
St James Park could potentially destroy all the player’s good work this season and could really disrupt his bright future, when there’s no real need to.
Benitez went to point out that everyone would expect the new Alan Shearer when seeing a young player and it’s unfair to put that sort of potentially destructive pressure on Sorensen.
“You don’t do it,” admitted the Spaniard in the same interview.
“Especially when you are in a top side because everybody is expecting you to be the new Alan Shearer.
“When everybody is expecting that you have no chance.”
Therefore based on the fact it’s better to ensure Sorensen’s future continues to look bright then Benitez is right to keep him away from the first-team even if he is desperate for goals.
