Town forward Sindre Walle Egeli says he sees himself playing in a more central role longer-term at the Blues under manager Kieran McKenna.

Walle Egeli has played exclusively as a right winger in all eight of his appearances since his arrival late in the summer transfer window from Danish side FC Nordsjælland.

Having previously played in multiple positions across the frontline, the left-footed forward brings a range of versatility as well as raw talent to the Blues’ attack.

At the moment, Walle Egeli is happy to be getting a run of matches on the right, but revealed he has had conversations with McKenna about the possibility of being utilised behind the central striker.

“I would say that for now I’m most comfortable in the right-wing position, but I know I can play in the 10 also,” he said. “In the long term, I think I’m probably going to end up as a 10. For now, I'm very comfortable in both, but I probably prefer the right wing.

“The gaffer knows my qualities, he will probably agree with me by saying that in the long term I will be a number 10, but it’s a good thing that I can play both.

“I can play right wing, I can play 10, I played as a left winger last season and a little bit at striker. I would say I can play multiple positions up front.”

As well as his obvious qualities in possession and an impressive passing range, Walle Egeli brings physical attributes that are not often seen in wide players, especially those aged just 19.

The Championship’s record signing has clear running power and has proved useful in the air, standing at 6ft tall.

Clearly, that is a part of his game that the teenager takes great pride in.


He said: “I would say I have good physicality for my age, both running-wise I can run a lot and I'm also quite strong in the duels and the headers.

“It’s something I like to work on and I really put some effort into the gym and what I eat every day. Physicality-wise is massive for me, I know you need to have it to succeed in top football now the way football is going.”

Despite his tender age, Walle Egeli is already a full international for high-flyers Norway, having earned a senior cap off the bench during the Nations League draw with Kazakhstan last September.

The forward continues to be a regular fixture for the U21 national side, but admitted he has his eyes on the prospect of representing his nation at a first World Cup since 1998.

“I’ve always said that’s my main goal,” he said. “I probably said it 10 years ago, World Cup in 2026, I want to be there. I think I'm close to it, but I need to push and do even more than I do now.

“Hopefully I can make some more appearances for the first team now I'm with the U21s. There’s a lot of competition for my place in the first team, but I know if I keep pushing, playing good and playing minutes, I’m right up there.”

No discussion about Norwegian football would be complete without a mention of national superstar Erling Haaland, who is widely considered the greatest ever player to represent the Scandinavian country.

Throughout Walle Egeli’s rise through Norway’s youth ranks, he has been compared to the Manchester City striker due to his prolific goalscoring record.

In some cases, the Town forward has broken some of Haaland’s record-breaking numbers at various age groups for the Norwegian national team.

But while he agreed that Haaland has acted as an inspiration, Walle Egeli name-checked two other footballing greats as players he looked up to as a youngster.

He said: “Left-footed players, I always mention Arjen Robben and [Robin] Van Persie. I probably play a little bit similar to them in some regards. They’re probably the two role models growing up.

“In the national team, of course it’s easy to say Haaland, he’s probably the best player in the world right now. It’s massive for Norway to have him in the team.

“We’re quite different players but I think his positioning is very good in the box so he always seems to get the easy goals. That’s something I can take and learn from, get the tap-ins and be in the right spot where the ball falls. There’s a hundred more things I can learn from him, but that’s the main one.”

Photo: TWTD

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:40 - Nov 7 A real talent, and yes, why not play him up front.
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londonben added 07:38 - Nov 7 He’s going to be some player! I do think I might get a run out in the 10 position when Wes is back. He’s been really good out wide but as a left footer he naturally wants to cut inside, as Philogene and Clarke do on the left which I think is causing some of our issues in attack due to cramping the space. With Wes out wide stretching play I think he could be very good in that central space with his clever movement and touches.

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Uhlenbeek added 07:56 - Nov 7 " I do think I might get a run out in the 10 position when Wes is back" Love your confidence Londonben ;)
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Clemcc added 08:40 - Nov 7 “the gaffer” lol already integrated to British football lol
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Bazza8564 added 08:47 - Nov 7 Am I the only one thinking all the talk of Wes is sentimental? Don'tget me wrong, I love the guys to bits, but with Sindre and Kasey costing £30m+ and Nunez Szmodics and Akpom showing their willingness in the 10, I just can't see it. Wes is 31 later this month, in the final year of his contract and hasnt played for almost a year. Am I alone in thinking he will go out as Chappers did in the January window and we will then work out where we go from there?

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ChingShady added 08:59 - Nov 7 londonben for Town no.10 - i'm behind that
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Karlosfandangal added 09:26 - Nov 7 ChingShady Are you a defensive midfielder Will Town keep him long enough to see him in that role……Not saying he is a Hutchinson but Nottingham Forest paid £37 million for him to sit on the bench Money talks
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