Keeping Strand Larsen a huge boost for Wolves’ survival hopes

Oct. 1, 2025, 11:52 a.m.

Jorgen Strand Larsen's promising first season in the black and gold of Wolverhampton Wanderers was an enormous highlight in their up-and-down 2024/2025 campaign. Settling in nicely to arguably the finest league in the world, the 25-year-old Norway international quickly established himself as a crucial component of Vitor Pereira’s side.

 

That rise in form didn’t go unnoticed, with Newcastle United intent on signing the striking star this summer. But Wolves held their ground, rejecting both hefty bids of £50m and £55m before the Magpies turned their attention to Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart and Yoane Wissa from Brentford.

 

"[We] never considered selling him in the window. He is a very good boy, very honest and also very generous. I have no doubts about him. Sometimes in the market every person has some chance in their career, but I believe he will forget about it and commit to the team,” Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi insisted.

 

"We had a very good conversation with him. After he comes back from some small injuries, he will be ready. I'm sure he will score a lot. Jorgen is one of the most important players in the squad. He scored 14 goals, and I hope he can score 20 goals this season. Hopefully he can improve to become a top striker in the league and the world."

 

Having joined Wolves permanently for £23m in July of 2025 after an impressive loan from Celta Vigo, keeping hold of the man who bagged 14 goals in 30 league starts last term is a massive boost for Wolves' survival hopes even though he was sidelined with an Achilles ailment.

 

Given they lost their first five league matches and currently sit at the foot of the table, his presence will unquestionably be valuable now he's returned, especially seeing as fellow star Matheus Cunha departed for Manchester United for a whopping £62.5 million.

 

Standing at an imposing 193 cm, Strand Larsen's physicality is a serious asset for Wolves, particularly when they play direct from goal kicks and are attacking via crosses and set pieces. Strong in the air, he regularly wins flick-ons and knockdowns to help his side dominate second-ball situations while also posing a genuine threat with powerful efforts on goal.

 

 

Technically assured, the Norwegian forward boasts a tidy first touch and close control, allowing him to shield the ball effectively under pressure, glide away from defenders and drive into space when opportunities arise. 

 

He complements this with an ever-improving passing range, as he's capable of creating chances, switching the point of attack and linking play with sharp one-twos to bring Wolves’ more imaginative operators into the game.

 

 

Instinctive with his movement, it's notable how shrewdly he finds openings to wreak havoc inside the box. So alert to his surroundings and where markers and teammates are located, he pounces swiftly to pop up in quality areas to put his polished finishing to good use. Astute at exploiting gaps between opponents and holding his runs as the defence collapses deeper, plus when choosing when to attack the back or front post, this enhances his nuisance.

 

When it comes to applying the final touch, his clinical finishing and ability to anticipate the ball's speed and trajectory mean he rapidly adjusts in order to typically be in the right place at the right time.

 

A master at noticing the position of the keeper and if he has time and room to shoot, he recognises coherently when to launch his shots depending on the scenario, as he combines accuracy and power tidily.

 

 

Also outstanding at checking deep to knit play together, this aspect is another key element in his armoury. Drawing praise from the legendary Alan Shearer for his aptitude here, Strand Larsen's back-to-goal work provides his team with an ideal outlet to progress upfield. Connecting midfield and attack, bringing others into play and luring out foes, there have been many positives attached to his output here.

 

 

Reading the play cleverly and interacting crisply with his colleagues, how he uses space and manufactures it for teammates has been integral for Wolves too.

 

A constant menace for opposition defences, his achievement of becoming just the fifth Wolves player to hit double figures in a Premier League crusade, joining the likes of Steven Fletcher, Raul Jimenez, Hee Chan Hwang and Cunha, serves as a further testament to his wizardry and what a difference-maker he is.

 

"My striker must be a fighter. Must be someone who is the first one to start defending, and, of course, the responsibility is not only to score goals. He has this spirit and this character; he’s a player that I like the profile of," Pereira asserted.

 

“When we look for a striker, we look for someone to score goals, but he’s the first man on the pitch that starts our pressing. If he does not know how to do it or if he doesn’t have this character to sacrifice himself to help the team, for sure, it will not be the striker I am looking for."

 

In what’s shaping up to be a challenging campaign, Wolves’ decision to hold firm and keep Strand Larsen already looks like a masterstroke, for he’s set to be a significant figure and heavily relied upon in their quest to avoid the dreaded drop.

 

By Edward Strattman