Norwegian spice talent out in the cold

When Manchester City and Ipswich meet in the Premier League on Saturday, there is little surprise that Erling Haaland will find his way to the netmasks. Another Norwegian who could have done it was Sindre Walle Egeli (20). But he has not been selected for the Ipswich squad, which is a strong underdog in the fight against league leader Manchester City. Egeli has scored eight goals in eight games for the Norwegian U21 national team, which has already secured a place in the upcoming summer U21-Euros. However, both playing time and goals have been absent in the Premier League. There, the 20-year-old has only played 19 minutes this season, split over two appearances. He is therefore not even in the squad against City. The contrast between the two Norwegians is great. But for the U21 national team, Walle Egeli has found a role that brings out the goalscorer in him. From dribbler to goalscorer The U21 national team coach Jan Peder Jalland, who has followed Walle Egeli since he was 15, points to one important change behind the goalscoring. – In all the other years we used Sindre as a right winger, but in this U21 run, we have used him as a forward. The change in role has brought results. But Jalland also believes that the 20-year-old has developed other sides of his game. – He has gone from being a more individual winger to being a player who is much better in terms of relationship. So he has taken very big steps there. According to Jalland, the 20-year-old has become more adept at combining with his teammates, while still getting into dangerous positions in front of goal. Highlights Ødegaard But the goals for the U21 national team have not yet given Walle Egeli more opportunities in Ipswich. NRK football expert Kristoffer Løkberg believes that the 20-year-old is in one of the most difficult phases for young football talents. – He has a lot of potential, but it is clear that he is in perhaps the most difficult phase for many talents. Løkberg brings Martin Ødegaard as an example that the path to the top is not always straight. – Even if he was younger, there was something about going to Real Madrid and then having to go on a loan round to both Heerenveen and Vitesse. It is a kind of setback and a slap in the face. Ødegaard had to go through several loan spells before establishing himself in top European football. – There were people then who also questioned whether Ødegaard had what it took. So we absolutely must not start doing that with Sindre Walle Egeli now, says Løkberg. – Sindre shall be Sindre. Saturday may give Walle Egeli the opportunity to face one of the world's top goalscorers. Jalland, however, believes that it is important to remember that Haaland and Walle Egeli are at very different stages in their careers. – I feel that they are in very different places. He believes Haaland is primarily an inspiration for the young forward. – Erling is an inspiration and someone all the young ones look up to, both on and off the pitch, and considering the leader he has become. But the national team coach does not want to compare the two too much. – Sindre shall be Sindre, and Erling shall be Erling. Possibility of loosening Walle Egeli himself has expressed frustration over the limited playing time. In September, he told Nettavisen that he had asked the coaching team at Ipswich for an explanation of why he was not playing. Løkberg believes the competition in Ipswich is tough, but sees it as a positive sign that the club has not sent the Norwegian on loan. – It is a sign that they believe in him, that he has not been sent on loan, and that he is there fighting for playing time. Jalland believes it is too early to worry about the development of the 20-year-old. He points out that Walle Egeli is getting to play full matches for the U21 national team, which contributes to keeping him in form. – There are not many 20-year-olds who go straight into and play regularly in the Premier League. So it is about working one's way in, earning the opportunities, and taking those opportunities. Both Jalland and Løkberg point to January as a possible time to re-evaluate the situation. But Løkberg is not in doubt about the potential. – I feel sure that he will become a top international player, concludes the NRK expert.