Adrian Clarke analyses the key summer signings and the impact they could make at their new clubs in the Premier League this season.
Player analysis - Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Across the last four seasons, Wolves have lacked a regular goalscorer that also provides them with a physical focal point at centre forward. Raul Jimenez did a terrific job up until he fractured his skull in November 2020, but since then, the strikers’ position has been a problem area at Molineux.
This summer, head coach Gary O’Neil has identified Norway international Strand Larsen as the man to fill that role. Standing 6ft 4in, he is strong in the air and good at holding the ball up to link play. Inside the final third, the 24-year-old also has sharp movement and a willingness to make runs in behind. When chances fell his way last season, Strand Larsen also displayed calm predatory instincts, netting 13 goals in La Liga for Celta Vigo.
Position: Target man
Neither of last season’s joint-top scorers for Wolves Hwang Hee-chan or Matheus Cunha are ideally suited to the No 9 role. Brazilian Cunha is very much a false nine or No 10, while Hwang is comfortable operating as a wide forward with the freedom to pop up unexpectedly inside dangerous areas. Strand Larsen is a far more natural fit to lead the line as a centre forward.
In truth, O’Neil’s side had next to no aerial threat from any of their front line in 2023/24, with Cunha winning the most aerial duels with a lowly tally of 16. By contrast, Strand Larsen who arrives on loan with an obligation to buy, won 173 aerial duels in LaLiga for Celta
Strand Larsen should provide Wolves’ wing-backs with more encouragement to whip crosses into the box. Last season they were one of just five Premier League teams to attempt under 400 open play crosses, and with limited options attacking those ball, just 74 were successful and this ranked them 16th.
Style: Six-yard box danger
Perhaps understandably, Strand Larsen has been compared many times to his international team-mate Erling Haaland. Their height and style are similar but Strand Larsen, who is more slightly built, is very much a right footer, unlike Manchester City’s goal machine who prefers his left. The other key difference is that Wolves’ new striker will join in a lot more often in the build-up phase. He averaged 34.9 touches per 90 minutes in LaLiga last season, compared to Haaland’s 24.5.
Strand Larsen is also more of a poacher from close range than Haaland. Excellent at putting himself into positions where he can snaffle tap-ins or rebounds, eight of Strand Larsen’s 13 strikes were from six yards out or less. If Wolves put enough balls across the face of goal, they now have a forward who will attack crosses with confidence.
Eye-catching trait: Right foot curlers
Haaland is first-choice centre forward for Norway, which often means Strand Larsen enjoys game time on the left of their attack. When he plays for Wolves, look out for Strand Larsen spinning into the left sided channel, behind the opposing right-back and central defender. He likes that domain and has scored a number of times cutting in from the left to bend right footed curlers into the far corner.
Where does he fit in?
Stylistically, Strand Larsen fills a hole that has held Wolves back in recent seasons. O’Neil will chop and change his formations, using a total of nine in 2023/24, but he does usually start with a lone striker. His most-used shape was 3-4-2-1, and if Strand Larsen leads the line, it may suit Cunha and Hwang to support him either side and from behind.
The season to come
Strand Larsen has a habit of taking up dangerous goalscoring positions. Staying within the width of the goalposts as often as possible and making smart runs, he tends to get on the end of quality chances. Strand Larsen’s non-penalty XG in LaLiga last season ranked third, where sat between some of European football’s biggest names.
The challenge for Wolves and O’Neil in the months to come will be supplying Strand Larsen with the type of service he thrives on. If they play to his strengths and he keeps free of injury, he is just the type of player they need.