Jorgen Strand Larsen has scored just one league goal this season.
In the modern market, that warrants a £48m transfer to Crystal Palace. Wolves rejected a £60m offer for Strand Larsen from Newcastle over the summer. They’ve taken a hit on the Norway international. Even so, football fans have scoffed at the significant outlay.
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Yet, when Wolves were offered £60m last year, the reasoning behind the rejection was sound. The Norwegian scored 14 goals and provided an additional four assists last season. In his debut Premier League campaign, it was a fine haul. Matheus Cunha’s exploits overshadowed the 25-year-old.
Mateta out, Strand Larsen in
Fast-forward to the present day, and admittedly; one goal and one assist isn’t a great return. Palace, though, are a little over a barrel. The Eagles are expected to cash in on wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta before the transfer window closes. The Frenchman is set to move to AC Milan on deadline day. ‘There’ll be no more Vengaboys at Selhurst Park, then. I’ll tell the children.’
Even then, Mateta hasn’t exactly shone for the Eagles this season. The 28-year-old may have scored eight league goals. However, three of those have been from the spot. He’s scored just once in his last 10 league outings, and bagged just one open play goal in his last 15 top-flight appearances.
Only Erling Haaland (20) has missed more clear-cut goalscoring chances than Mateta (17) in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. A 14.8% conversion rate isn’t the worst, but leaves room for improvement. By comparison, Strand Larsen boasts just a 4.8% conversion rate. It’s poor, yes, but what do you expect from a player who has managed just 21 shots this season?
Dire Wolves holding Strand Larsen back
A striker doesn’t just become a poor player overnight. Just as Mateta thrived when Oliver Glasner took charge, Strand Larsen excelled at Molineux last season. The departures of Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri impacted Wolves more than many may care to admit. The goal woes are more indicative of an overall drop in quality within the squad. The Midlands side have, after all, scored the fewest goals (15) in the Premier League this season.
Strand Larsen has, when he’s featured, been starved of service. Wolves rank third bottom for chances created per 90 (6.7) in the division. They have created fewer clear-cut chances (21) than any other team, while only two have made fewer accurate through balls (7).
A 44% possession haul is the fifth lowest, yet despite sitting deeper; Wolves are one of three teams yet to score a counter-attacking goal in England’s top tier this term. They just don’t get the ball forward quickly enough. This hasn’t just impacted Strand Larsen, but the squad as a whole. Only four players have scored multiple league goals this season. Two – Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno – are defensive-minded.
Conversely, Palace ranked seventh for clear-cut chances created (43) in the Premier League this season. 25 accurate through balls is fourth. If they can coax out the Strand Larsen from 2024-25, the same who returned a 25.9% conversion rate, then the Premier League may bare witness to the former Celta Vigo man return to his best form.
Strand Larsen vs Mateta Comparison
In terms of link up play, this season alone Strand Larsen is outperforming Mateta. The former boasts a 65% pass accuracy from 16.7 passes per 90. The latter, meanwhile, has managed a 62.4% accuracy from 12.9 passes per 90. Strand Larsen is creating more chances per 90 (0.5 to Mateta’s 0.3).
The duo are making 0.4 tackles per 90, and while Mateta trumps Strand Larsen for both ground duels won per 90 and ground duel success rate, the Wolves man’s work on the ball stands him, and thus Palace, in better stead.
Of course, fans will be sad to see the back of Mateta. He was instrumental in their FA Cup success last May. It was the form for the Eagles that saw Mateta win a first France cap. However, the indifferent showings in front of goal has highlighted the former Mainz man’s attacking shortcomings.
At this stage, cashing in on the Mateta hype is the right move for Palace. Bringing in Strand Larsen means they are upgrading their frontline. On paper, £48m doesn’t represent great business. In time, though, fans may come to enjoy a huge slice of humble pie.
