OPINION
It would be fair to say that Newcastle United do not have the best record when it comes to developing young players into first-team talents over the years.
A lot of young Magpies have shown promise in their fledgeling years but very few have made the grade at St James’ Park.
Many of these promising talents have been shipped out on loan to try and give them a taste of senior football at a competitive level, all to varying degrees of success.
The likes of Adam Armstrong and Adam Campbell looked like they might be able to follow in Andy Carroll’s footsteps and become the Toon Army’s new striking hero, but they ended up falling some way short of expectations.
The latest starlet to try and become the Magpies’ star striker is Elias Sorensen, the Danish youngster making a real name for himself at under-23 level.
Now he is taking the path taken by so many before him, with a loan at Carlisle agreed to try and bed him into the world of professional football.
However, if he thinks he is going to get special treatment because he has come from a Premier League side, he is mistaken, Carlisle boss Steven Pressley revealing to the Chronicle there is no clause which forces the League Two side to play him.
Many clubs have started to include fees and clauses to ensure their players are given regular game time but it appears Sorensen will have to do things the old fashioned way.
With just 34 minutes of action to his name in two appearances, both ending in a 2-0 defeat, Sorensen must be feeling the pressure of what it means to be a player with actual expectations on your shoulders.
Furthermore, with no promise of any game time courtesy of the terms in his loan deal, and no under-23 football to fall back on, he will realise his fate is now in his own hands rather than that of his coaches’.
As a 19-year-old, that is a daunting prospect – it is up to Sorensen to live up to expectations.
