Jørgen Strand Larsen on his Palace start & target for 2026/27

This interview was initially published in the Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town programme in September 2026. You can buy previous issues of the matchday programme by clicking HERE.

With just under four months of 2026 remaining, it’s already been a momentous year for our No. 22, Jørgen Strand Larsen.

Having started the year as a Wolves player with his side struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, transfer deadline day in February saw Strand Larsen become Palace’s record signing. Only a few months later, the Norwegian had the first major honour of his career, helping the Eagles to the Conference League silverware.

His goal in the semi-final against Shakhtar was one of the most important – and memorable – moments on the road to Leipzig, and later won Palace’s Goal of the Season Award.

Then, in the summer, Strand Larsen had the small matter of representing Norway at their first World Cup Finals in 28 years. A rest and recharge was very much needed after Norway reached the quarter-finals at the expanded tournament.

Thankfully, Strand Larsen has returned refreshed and ready to kick-on in his first full season at Selhurst Park – and has started 2026/27 with an impressive four goals in seven games.

“It’s been good [training since my return in August],” Strand Larsen says. “Training is good, it's intense.

“We have our way of playing now and we’re trying to sort it out and get better at it. We’ve only had a few weeks all together, with the Manager.

“So, we know it will take time – but with every week things have improved and got better so that’s good.”

Despite his late return to preseason following his North American exploits, Strand Larsen already has a good understanding what his new Manager wants.

“First of all, he's a good Manager and he's very direct about what he wants,” he explains. “Sometimes it can be very demanding, but at the same time, it's easier for us as players that way.

“We know what we want to do – even though in the Premier League it’s not always easy because you are against very good opponents.

“It’s about finding that perfect balance in your own team and also reading how the other teams are coming at you. I’m sure it will take time to finetune things, but it looks good for now.

“He’s also a really nice man. He takes part of training, and he's loud and clear about what he wants. But at the same time, outside of the pitches, he's a nice guy. You can talk to him about anything and you can see why he's done well in other places.

“Obviously, now it's the Premier League and it's a bit different to every other league.

“It takes some time to adapt, but already we look like a team where, like last year, we want to compete in every game.”

Strand Larsen was first on the scene when his new teammate Ben Chilwell was wheeling away in front of the away support after his dramatic winner at Fulham last month.

Watching the players take in the celebrations at the Putney End of Craven Cottage at full-time emphasised just how much the squad has changed in the last year. Chilwell was one of four to join on deadline day, with Axel Disasi also making his first start in that game.

From the XI that were on the pitch at full-time, only five were at the club a year ago. Strand Larsen believes the new boys have given a fresh feel to a squad seeking to fight on multiple fronts. “I think they're enjoying it,” he reflects.

“They know that they've come into a team that has been used to winning the past two years, which is great for the club. What we want to continue to do this year, is compete in every competition we're in.

“We understand that – in the league at least – it’s going to be tough to win every game. But at the same time we have confidence from last season, especially from winning the Conference League and the two trophies before I arrived.

“So these new players are important, because we need a big squad to be able to compete across the different competitions.

“I feel like the competition and the training right now is really good – so it bodes well.”

Strand Larsen has plenty of competition for a place leading the attack, with both Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah also in the forward department. But he is certainly used to the challenge.

This is a man who has goal-machine Erling Haaland as competition at international level. Despite this hurdle Strand Larsen still managed to get minutes in Norway’s World Cup campaign.

And, rather than see Haaland as a direct rival, he says they are actually close friends: “We’re from the same age group, so we’ve always had a really good relationship. “

"We played together at the same national team, Under-16 and Under-17 level. For a long time we played 4-4-2, with me and him up front together.

“It’s nice that we are reunited in the national team and we talked a lot in the summer – he’s a good friend.

“He's just a really nice guy and very down-to-earth. Even though he can look a bit like he's a superstar, he doesn't really act like one. He’s a good player to work with for sure.”

Despite the competition he faces at club level, the 26-year-old isn’t going to shirk the spotlight. He wants to be in the thick of the action and is determined to rediscover his top form – conducting this interview ahead of our game against Ipswich Town, a match which started his recent glut of goals.

It’s never easy for a player to move mid-season – not that Strand Larsen is one for excuses – but he is determined to, in his words, ‘get back to his old self.’

“I think I got off to a good start when I first joined,” he reflects. “But I feel like last season was very long for me, personally. Towards the end, mentally and physically, I was struggling with different things.

"It was also tough competition with me and JP, one playing one game each. That makes it hard to find consistency. But at the same time it was good as it helped us keep going in the Conference League and compete in the Premier League.

“I think this year is going to be the same. I’m trying to focus on myself and have a better season than I did last season.

“I want to get a little bit back to myself again, where I can scream a little bit on the pitch and be a little bit more aggressive again than I've been before.

“I want to be running towards goal, because that’s the best thing for me. As a striker I know I’ve got that in me.”

He may have so many traits common to the trademark ‘ruthless centre forward.’ Yet Strand Larsen is also very much a team player.

“I won’t set a goal target,” he adds. “My first season in the Premier League I had 14, so I’ll try to do better than that – and obviously better than last season.

“The goal though is for the team to win. That’s my main target. If I play well and the team play well, the goals will come, I’m sure.

“That’s how I’m approaching it this year.”

If the big centre forward can find his rhythm early on this season – playing with aggression, consistency and confidence – there’s every reason to believe this could be a very memorable first full campaign in Red and Blue.