Jorgen Strand Larsen says returning to Norway, spending time at his family home and with friends, allowed him to mentally reset ahead of a new Premier League campaign.
The striker scored 14 times during his debut campaign in English football last time out and used the summer months to recharge his batteries both back on home soil and on the continent, where he linked up with Old Gold colleague Toti.
On that same trip to Greece the 25-year-old spent time with new signing Fer Lopez, who he played with at Celta Vigo, and that time away from the pitch has made him even more hungry to get back to action and “do more damage” in front of goal for Wolves this coming season.
On resetting during the off-season
“Last season was quite tough, both physically and mentally. My first season in the ‘Prem’, I had a few injuries as well, if I think about myself. Team wise, we struggled all season, and luckily at the end we got what we deserved, because we worked hard throughout the whole season, and we found good players in the January window, and we turned it around. Having that break was really important, and now I’m feeling fresh again.
“Everyone's coming in with a big smile on their face and I think that we're ready to do something better this season. I think we have the quality to do it, but it has to start from the day one, and that's now, and then up until Man City at the first game.”
On meeting Toti on holiday
“We had it planned out. I was going to Greece with my friends, and Fer [Lopez] was also with me, we stayed in a house, me, Fer and a few friends of mine. Toti was around, so I called him and asked what he was up to and then we met, and it was really nice. He's one of my good friends in the team, so it was nice to meet him there.”
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On encouraging Lopez to Wolves
“Obviously, it's difficult to make such a big choice of changing clubs when you're young. Obviously, he loves Celta. I've been there too, and I also love Celta, and it's hard to leave. But it’s a dream for him also, and with me as a friend, I think it was easy for him to come over here. He came a few days before me as I was with national team, and arrived a little bit later, and he already settled in before I came, so I didn't have to do anything. He's a good guy and a good friend of mine, so I'm pleased he's here.
“He's a really good player. A typical Spanish player, he reminds me a lot of Pablo [Sarabia] from last season. Really good technically and obviously he's young, so he might need some time, but I think he's already doing really well in training and doing good stuff. For a striker, to have someone like him around you is really good. So, he has a lot of quality, and I think we can expect some good assists from him next season.
“I think the most important thing is to just be himself like he is now and just learn how to speak English a little bit better and get into the rhythm of the Premier League, because it's quite tough. Already now we're doing double sessions every day. So, it's good for us, but it's a tough start. I'm glad he came over to us.”
On heading into the summer in good form
“We are a very cultural team, and we have people from everywhere in the world, and I think to go home and see your family in your family home is the most important thing. I really enjoy that myself, and being at home with family and friends and brothers and sisters, that's the most important thing. That makes you really mentally reset and obviously it takes a few days to come back, but as soon as you come back into it, it's game time already, and we feel all prepared for the season that's coming.
“Family time is the most important. I have friends studying and working, so I can't get them to come over to England every time, because obviously as a footballer you have a lot of spare time, and you want to spend it with family and friends. For all of us it’s a mental reset a little bit, to do the things we did when we grew up, go to the pitch and have fun playing football, and not think about anything is really important. Obviously, you miss this also. So, I think the first days coming back it’s quite tough. But then as soon as you're back, the only thing I want to do is train score goals again, and it feels like I've done it the whole summer. So, it's a nice feeling coming back, but obviously that one month of break is really important for all of us.”
On returning an established member of the squad
“Obviously, coming as a new player, you need to show yourself in a different way. Now I feel a little bit more mature in the Premier League with the players around me. I have made good friends, and it's easier to just focus on the football. You need to come in and get a lot of new stuff, new places to live, everything's new, so it's kind of hard. People don't think about how hard that can be, and then also to perform on the pitch and in a new country. Luckily, it's English, and I can talk English, but for example, in Spain two years ago, when I went there, it's a different vibe. You need to talk Spanish. Now, after the last three months I had before the break, I feel really, really good and ready for next season. Hopefully I can do more damage than I did last season.”
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