- Palace moving closer to securing Sage
- Sage expected to assess the entire squad before long-term decisions
- Strand Larsen presented with opportunity
Crystal Palace are closing in on securing RC Lens manager Pierre Sage. With a new appointment comes new opportunities and challenges for existing players, with Sage likely to assess every Palace player’s role in the team.
Reports suggest that Sage is likely to assess the entire squad before making long-term decisions on team selection. One player who faces a battle to impress is Palace’s record-breaking signing, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian joined on a club record deal of £48m in February from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since joining, he has made 22 appearances in Red and Blue, scoring three times in the Premier League and once in Palace’s semi-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Strand Larsen has battled with Jean-Philipe Mateta for the starting striker position, with Mateta outperforming him towards the end of the season. Fans have been supportive of his integration into the team, but expectations for more goals are rising.
Strand Larsen presented with opportunity
With the entrance of a new manager comes an opportunity for players to start a clean slate and impress from the beginning. Strand Larsen will be under pressure to prove he can make the starting lineup in front of Mateta. The lack of game time under Oliver Glasner has made it difficult for Strand Larsen to adapt to the style of play, despite flashes of excellence.
The World Cup also provides a stage for players to display their talent, with Strand Larsen netting a brace for Norway in their pre-tournament friendly against Sweden on 1 June. The 26-year-old will be hoping Norway makes it far in the tournament, as they are considered a strong team.
Mateta’s future is also under negotiation, with Juventus the latest team to express an interest in the striker. This gives Strand Larsen a bigger opportunity but also responsibility to prove he can take on the sole number nine role, with pressure increasing from the fans to see results.
