Despite being an important member of the team that earned promotion to the Premier League from the Championship, Sindre Walle Egeli is still not starting matches for Ipswich Town.
The Norwegian youngster was delighted after helping them gain promotion to the top flight, but he has struggled to start in the league so far, despite showing good form in the League Cup.
In their first league match of the season, Egeli played 10 minutes against Sunderland after coming on as a substitute. He was then handed a start in their next competitive game against Leicester City, which provided him with an opportunity to impress.
It was a League Cup fixture, and the youngster made good use of his chance by scoring in a 3-1 home win for the Tractor Boys. His performance should have given him confidence and strengthened his case for further opportunities.
Egeli remains on the bench
That display should have been enough for him to earn a starting place in their next league game against Manchester United, but he spent the entire match on the bench.
Nettavisen covered Egeli’s frustration as he watched United beat his team 5-2 from the sidelines, unable to help Ipswich during the match. His continued absence from the starting line-up will naturally raise questions about when he will receive another league opportunity.
Egeli is one of the finest young players from Norway outside the Eliteserien at the moment, and he is now playing in the best league in the world. Regular minutes will be important for his continued development.
More chances could come
His manager will have his reasons for not throwing him into the deep end, and there is no need to rush the youngster into a demanding role. However, his League Cup performance showed that he can make an impact when given the opportunity.
If Egeli continues to impress, particularly in other competitions, there is a good chance that he will soon earn another opportunity to start a league match. His ability to contribute when selected could make it increasingly difficult for the manager to overlook him.
For now, the Norwegian must remain patient and continue working hard in training. Ipswich will need depth throughout the season, and Egeli should have further opportunities to demonstrate why he deserves a regular role in the Premier League.
