Although the January transfer window ended quietly for most clubs, Crystal Palace made one high-profile late signing that could be significant for manager Oliver Glasner.

It’s no secret that things behind the scenes at Selhurst Park haven’t been smooth. Earlier in the window, captain Marc Guehi left for Manchester City, leaving Glasner, fresh from leading the Eagles to their first-ever FA Cup triumph, feeling “abandoned completely” by the board.

“This has been going on for weeks and months now,” Glasner said. “We feel no support, and the worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game. I have always kept my mouth shut, but I can’t because I have to defend these players.”

A Struggling Side

Palace have struggled to replicate their Wembley-winning form and have gone 12 matches without a win across all competitions. The team was also famously knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by sixth-tier National League North side Macclesfield — arguably one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.

Adding to the turmoil, Jean-Philippe Mateta had attempted a deadline-day move to AC Milan, which fell through due to a failed medical.

Strand Larsen Arrives

In response, Palace broke their transfer record to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen for up to €50 million on a four-and-a-half-year deal. The 25-year-old Norwegian, who will wear the number 22 shirt, brings a blend of physicality, aerial presence, and finishing ability that could prove crucial.

Fans will naturally wonder whether Strand Larsen will replace Mateta or form a strike partnership with him. With Palace sitting 15th and just nine points above the relegation zone, finding a reliable source of goals is a top priority.

Potential Partnership

Mateta is a traditional, physically imposing centre-forward who thrives on hold-up play, and his partnership with Eberechi Eze in previous seasons was highly effective. Strand Larsen possesses similar qualities, with added versatility to play as a lone striker or in tandem with another forward.

If Mateta undergoes surgery or misses time due to injury or the World Cup, Strand Larsen could immediately assume the leading role without disrupting the team’s system.

What Strand Larsen Brings

Strand Larsen’s statistics highlight his value:

• 14 goals and 4 assists in 35 Premier League games for Wolves in 2024/25.
• High work rate, aerial ability (305 contested duels), and shooting accuracy of 69%.
• Versatile enough to play off a striker or hold up the ball for teammates.
• Conversion rate of 26% from 54 league shots, compared with Matheus Cunha’s 14% from 110 shots in 24/25.

His combination of physicality, finishing, and football intelligence makes him a potential catalyst for Palace’s struggling attack. Whether Glasner pairs him with Mateta or hands him the spotlight as the sole number nine, Strand Larsen could be the spark the Eagles need to reverse their slide.