Jacob Sorensen chasing a change in Norwich City narrative

Impeding the potential success is a series of unwelcome, and often badly timed, injury setbacks and fitness concerns that have come to define his spell in Norfolk so far.

There is a cycle that Sorensen’s spell at Norwich has undertaken. It begins with a period of promise, an opportunity in the side emerges, there is a run of productive performances in a range of positions and then injury sidelines him.

Sorensen has played more matches as a left back than in any other position during his time, and his last appearance in that position came during a 2-0 victory over Cardiff in February 2023, but the bulk in that opening campaign under Daniel Farke.

Since his opening season at Norwich, Sorensen’s appearances in the subsequent campaigns are as follows: 10 in the Premier League in 2021/22, 19 in the Championship in 2022/23 and 14 in the Championship in 2023/24.

Sorensen’s frustrations over his lack of consistency in a Norwich shirt were visible during a media interview in Belgium in pre-season. All of his injuries have been different. There has been little in the way of luck since he arrived from Denmark in 2020.

That is why there was surprise in some quarters that Sorensen’s deal was extended. Norwich agreed a structure on the exact same terms in a move that reflect how valuable his versatility has been at various stages of his time at the club.

Sorensen has a chance to establish himself in Norwich City’s prison. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) Under a Danish head coach, the hope was that this could be the season where Sorensen breaks that cycle and writes a different narrative. It is a disappointment to all parties that this season has followed in a similar vein thus far.

With Kenny McLean suspended, Sorensen was handed a rare opportunity in a defensive midfield position at Cardiff, the likelihood is that Norwich will need him to fill that position for at least the next two matches leading into the international break.

This has to be the start of a different narrative for Sorensen, and his outing at Cardiff showed signs of promise.

Given this was Sorensen’s first start of the Championship campaign and came after a long injury lay-off from a foot injury sustained in the weeks after that Oxford horrorshow, the 26-year-old stepped into McLean’s void well.

Replicating McLean’s presence and sense of control he brings to City’s midfield engineroom was always going to be tough – but Sorensen completed 45 of his 49 passes that included some nice switches of play and a willingness to play forward.

After a sloppy start to proceedings, Sorensen was integral in City wrestling first-half control of the encounter alongside Gabriel Forsyth and the ever-improving Emiliano Marcondes.

Sorensen’s off-ball play was key to City’s limitation of big chances to Cardiff in the opening 75 minutes, with the midfielder making two recoveries, winning three of his five ground duels and recording two clearances.

There is a calmness to Sorensen’s work in possession that does slot into Thorup’s game model effectively, but his possession does often lack invention compared to McLean.

Thorup admitted post-match that Sorensen was pushed to the limit given his recent return from injury. The initial plan did not include being exposed to 75 minutes of game time in his first start since the final day of last season at Birmingham.

Injury and inconsistent game time has defined Jacob Sorensen’s time at Norwich. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) It is not a coincidence that Sorensen’s departure saw City squander control and territory to the hosts, but it was never a realistic prospect to expect him to find a consistent level across 90 minutes.

With another Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday to follow before Bristol City come to Carrow Road, this is a period that will test Sorensen’s ability to remain fit.

That speaks to where Norwich find themselves with their injury situation whereby Sorensen isn’t able to be eased into action, instead lunged straight into the deep-end without any significant run up or build up of minutes.

Thorup feels City have a player there that can prove useful across the campaign, but Sorensen’s mission will be to prove that is as a midfielder rather than merely his versatility and ability to fill holes.

Throughout his spell at Norwich, there has been too much discussion about what Sorensen could be and not enough evidence of that on the pitch, largely down to factors beyond his control.

If he is serious about emerging as a key player in Thorup’s midfield mix, then he needs to seize the opportunity and put pressure on McLean’s position through performances.

Considering the circumstances of his injury return, this was a good way to lay the marker – now it’s about discovering the next gear.

It will be down to City and Thorup to manage him accordingly, but that is going to prove testing given their shortage of options in central areas, especially with Sorensen the only natural number six option currently available.

Sorensen has entered a now or never stage of his Norwich career. He needs to grasp the chance in front of him.

VERDICT: An assured outing considering the context of his limited minutes. Played with intent and purpose, even if not perfectly throughout the contest. Productive in the defensive aspects of the game. Norwich suffered after his withdrawal.

RATING: 6 out of 10