Jacob Sorensen is still out to prove himself at Norwich City - with the 2023/24 campaign set to be significant for the versatile Danish midfielder. 

Last season epitomised Sorensen's time since moving to Norwich; suffering from injuries, failing to nail down a position and not being exposed to a consistent amount of football by coaches. 

After three seasons at Norwich, Sorensen has made just 66 appearances in all competitions. 

Yet, he has played fewer games in midfield than in the other positions he's covered. The Danish international has featured 28 times at left back compared to 22 in his most natural area of the pitch. 

Sorensen is seen as a polyfilla by coaches - lauded by his coaches, but he has, as of yet, failed to nail down a consistent role in any of Daniel Farke's, Dean Smith's or David Wagner's sides. 

He always trains well, is popular in the dressing room for his deadpan delivery and uncompromising personality. Since his move to England and Carrow Road, Sorensen has taken everything in his stride and never complained, irrespective of the constant changes of position. 

With anything in football, there is an element of luck that has evaded Sorensen since his move from Esbjerg - every run in midfield has ended prematurely due to his services being required elsewhere or fitness issues. 

There have been glimpses of quality in a defensive midfield role, but often the opportunity hasn't arrived to allow Sorensen to make his case for a prolonged period. 

He has proven himself to be a solid performer capable of ticking things over - that was the case at left back during City's last Championship title-winning campaign before Dimi Giannoulis was signed and Stuart Webber felt the side moved up another level. 

That sums up Sorensen - a player who has proven capable of holding down the fort but never of fully establishing himself. 

Sorensen is still lacking definition at Norwich. His challenge is to find a way to break out of being Mr Versatile and becoming Mr Indepensible. On the flip side, there must be a moment that arrives that enables him to do that. 

Wagner has spoken publically about Sorensen's ability - each coach he has worked under at Norwich have done similar. 

But outgrowing that versatility tag remains the ultimate challenge, if not - there is a possibility that Sorensen ends up slipping down the pecking order in the way others have at the club. 

That is why Sorensen is entering a critical phase of his Norwich career. With more midfield reinforcements expected and City set to be well-stocked in full back areas - the fight is on for him to wrestle the starting shirt in the centre of the pitch amid competition from Kenny McLean, Gabriel Sara and Liam Gibbs. 

There have been positive moments, like away at Millwall in City's 3-2 win. Sorensen scored and played a vital role in that victory, likewise at Blackburn Rovers in their final win of the campaign. That would prove Sorensen has the raw minerals - but consistency has been lacking. 

The Pink Un: Jacob Sorensen impressed in Norwich City's victory over Millwall.Jacob Sorensen impressed in Norwich City's victory over Millwall. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That isn't all down to Sorensen - but it underpins the point that there must be a plan formulated. At 25, he needs to find a route for himself. If that cannot be found at Norwich, then he is too good a player not to be regularly exposed to minutes. 

There is a side of this story where Sorensen does find his rhythm and kicks on to make a success of his spell at Norwich but it feels like it is balancing on a knife edge at present. 

Wagner likes him. Sorensen has the quality. Now it is about discovering whether the Dane is capable of playing a key role within that. 

In the final few matches of City's disappointing Championship campaign, Sorensen's deployment as a central defender at least provided clarity that he is better suited to other areas of the pitch. 

The Pink Un: Jacob Sorensen is still searching for a defined role at Norwich City.Jacob Sorensen is still searching for a defined role at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That said, Sorensen's best performances in defensive areas arrived alongside Grant Hanley in the Premier League. In the final matches of 2023, momentum was against City and Andrew Omobamidele and the Dane lacked the relevant experience to halt the tide. 

Wagner will now have a rounded view of the midfielder and his ability - from the highs of those individual performances at Millwall and Blackburn to the crashing lows of those games at the final stages of their faltering season. 

City's jack of all trades must prove he can master one. His City career may well hinge on it.