AliousA single goal can work wonders for a striker’s confidence, and on Saturday, Jørgen Strand Larsen capitalized on the opportunity against struggling Southampton.
After enduring a seven-game goal drought in the Premier League, the Norwegian forward ended his barren run in style, netting twice to help Wolves secure a 2-1 victory at St Mary’s. Since arriving on loan from Celta Vigo last summer, he has scored nine goals across all competitions and looks set to surpass double digits before the season concludes.
Strand Larsen’s time at Wolves has been a mixed bag—while he has sometimes found it difficult to handle the physical demands of English football, his sharp finishing ability has more than made up for it. Remarkably, he boasts the highest shot conversion rate in the Premier League, even outperforming Erling Haaland in that department. One of his former managers always believed he was destined to succeed in England’s top flight.
Rafael Benítez Predicted Strand Larsen Would Shine in England
Wolves are set to make Strand Larsen’s move permanent in the summer for £23 million, having triggered the required number of appearances in his loan deal.
Before heading to Molineux, the Norwegian international impressed for Celta Vigo, scoring 13 goals in 37 matches during the 2023/24 campaign. His former boss, Rafael Benítez, had high expectations for him, predicting that his style would suit the Premier League.
Back in March 2024, Benítez praised the striker’s development, stating:
*”He is a player who has been consistent, and he’s adding more quality to his game as he progresses. There are areas he still needs to improve, and he’s aware of that. He works extremely hard and has enhanced his finishing, as well as his understanding of how to adjust based on his teammates and opponents.*
*”He’s still in a growth phase, but he’s young and highly motivated. Once he fine-tunes a few aspects of his game, he has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.”*
Strand Larsen has even drawn comparisons to Wolves legend Raúl Jiménez, who remains one of the club’s most revered strikers in the Premier League era. The 25-year-old will be eager to carve out a similar legacy of his own.
### Vítor Pereira’s Thoughts on Strand Larsen
Against Southampton, Strand Larsen demonstrated his killer instinct, converting both of his only two shots on target. However, his impact extended beyond just goals—his hold-up play and link-up passing also contributed significantly to the team’s performance.
Wolves manager Vítor Pereira was full of praise for the towering forward after the match. Speaking to *BBC Sport*, he said:
*”Jørgen was fantastic, not just because of his two goals but also for how he contributed to the team’s overall play. He looked more confident today. He was outstanding, and he truly deserves it.”*
Having recently dealt with a hand injury, Strand Larsen appeared back to his best on the South Coast. Wolves fans will now hope he can carry that momentum forward when they take on West Ham after the international break.
Alious
