– I am working very well to get Petter down a bit, says a satisfied Jørgen Strand Larsen to news. The national team striker talks about football expert Petter Veland, who works at Viaplay and is part of the Laligaloca podcast about Spanish football. Veland was not overly optimistic when he predicted before this season how he thought Strand Larsen would perform. He answered “no” when asked if the Norway forward would manage a double-digit number of goals in La Liga for Celta Vigo this season. – Based on the fact that striker colleague Iago Aspas tends to feed himself roughly from the dinner plate and that Celta Vigo was predicted to have a tough season, I answered no. And I regret that now, says Petter Veland with a smile to news. EXPERT: Petter Veland didn’t quite believe that Jørgen Strand Larsen would reach ten goals this season. Photo: Viasat Strand Larsen has indeed impressed greatly for a Celta Vigo team that is in 17th place, scored nine goals and is in joint tenth place on the top scorer list. One goal remains before Strand Larsen has disproved the prediction, which has now developed into a kind of bet between the two. – We have probably come to the conclusion that the punishment, if he manages double figures, should be that I have to travel to Spain and run doggies on the training field in Vigo. So I just have to go to training, says Veland, who realizes that he is thin on the ground. Top scorers La Liga 2023/2024 Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, 16 goals. Borja Mayoral, Getafe, 15 goals. Artem Dovbyk, Girona, 14 goals. Álvaro Morata, Atletico Madrid, 13 goals. Ante Budimir, Osasuna, 11 goals. Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid, 11 goals. Gerard Moreno, Villarreal, 10 goals. Hugo Duro, Valencia, 10 goals. Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona, 10 goals. Jørgen Strand Larsen, Celta Vigo, 9 goals. Gorka Guruzeta, Athletic Bilbao, 9 goals. Alexander Sørloth, Villarreal, 8 goals. * as of 15/02/2024 Last weekend, the national team striker received his ninth online recognition. Thus, he is only one score away from winning the bet. And he still has 14 league games left in the season to embellish the statistics and put Veland’s goal prediction to shame. – That I should be up to double figures is quite unrealistic considering how we do it. So he has hit a bit with the fact that Celta Vigo will not do so well this year, and that this is reflected in the fact that a striker necessarily does not get as many chances, says Strand Larsen to news. – But every goal I score, the nicer it is afterwards to know that I am one step closer. So I must have the tenth goal. It will come, he promises. IMPORTANT PIECE: Jørgen Strand Larsen has gained a lot of trust with the flag on his chest. During the autumn season, he had three online acquaintances. Photo: NTB The tenth goal can already come against Barcelona this weekend, who are Celta’s next opponent on Saturday. Instagram messages It’s all developed into a humorous thing between the two, and they keep sending Instagram messages to each other about the bet. Strand Larsen recently wrote “I’m coming for you” to warn Veland that he will soon have to prepare for a penalty. – I reckon he doesn’t sleep well at night, but he can look forward to Barcelona on Saturday, it’s a great opportunity to take tenth. If the tenth comes on Saturday, and it is not just a consolation goal, it would have been exciting to have a small celebration on it, says Strand Larsen. IN FLOOR: Jørgen Strand Larsen is making a name for himself in Spain. Photo: ISABEL INFANTES / Reuters Veland follows Spanish football extremely closely and has noticed that Strand Larsen is gaining a very good reputation in Spain, both on and off the pitch. – He learned the Spanish language quickly, and now he speaks fluent Spanish and is often interviewed. He has some credentials as an entertainer when he doesn’t have the ball as well. He gets the fans with him and is well liked there, Veland. Linked to big clubs There have already been reports in the Spanish press that the Haldense player is on the block for even bigger clubs than Celta Vigo. – There are rumors that he is ready for even bigger tasks. I have seen the name of both Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid. The latter is really exciting, because Atletico are a title contender. There is a forward spot available next season, says Veland. ROSES: Jørgen Strand Larsen has learned the language and is becoming a popular figure in Spain. Photo: Lalo R. Villar / AP – Nice to put people in their place The rumors that have swirled around Strand Larsen in the last period have also reached the player himself. And for the relatively young forward, it makes sense. – If I score even more, then you know that the interest will be there this summer as well. Then it’s exciting to see what happens, says Strand Larsen. – All the clubs I’ve read about have been big clubs, and to think that a little boy from Halden will be in those speculations, it’s incredibly fun. I also think it’s a lot of fun for my family and everyone who has worked closely around me in recent years to see that I’m doing so well, says the striker. The man from Østfold is nevertheless keen to have his feet firmly planted on the ground. When asked if he gets extra motivation from the bet with Veland, he replies: – First of all, I motivate myself for what may come in the future. I know that this is a good showcase, and with the qualities I have shown this year and with goals and such, I have the opportunity to take a step further this summer or possibly next year. But it’s always nice to put people in their place. And Petter and I have a nice tone, says Strand Larsen. STAR COACH: Rafael Benitez took over Celta Vigo before the 2023/2024 season. Photo: AFP Thanks to star coach Jørgen Strand Larsen for good guidance. This season, former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager, Rafael Benitez, has managerial responsibility at Celta Vigo. – Most recently today, we had a chat at training where we disagree a little about some things, so he is still very much on me. He’s not happy enough yet, so that’s really good. As a striker, you need continuity, and you need the coaches to believe in you, and I got that from “Rafa” this year, so I have to thank him too for things going very well, says Strand Larsen. Celta Vigo’s home match against Barcelona is played at 18.30 on Saturday evening and can be seen on TV 2 Sport Premium. Loses the victory after blunder celebration – Photos from Discovery 00:20 Bursts into tears after the team’s surprise 01:07 The WC king surprises with gaming skills 00:57 Admits crush on Taylor Swift’s boyfriend 01:15 Show more
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