Former Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth is aiming for the Champions League after enjoying an impressive season in front of goal at Real Sociedad, speaking to Marca.
Any criticism of Sorloth’s Selhurst Park career must be served up with a side dish of context.
Roy Hodgson, during his first spell in the West London dugout, gave the Norway international a grand total of just four Premier League starts, the vast majority of his Crystal Palace appearances coming from the substitute’s bench.
Ironically enough, Hodgson could do with a centre-forward of Sorloth’s ilk these days; returning to a goal-shy Palace side fearing relegation following dismal a run of one win in 15 top-flight games.
Former Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth in fine La Liga form
Sorloth has 13 goals in all competitions for Real Sociedad this term. Nine of those have come in La Liga, Imanol Alguacil’s side sitting fourth and looking to secure Champions League qualification for the first time since 2013/14.
“I have already said many times that I am very, very happy to play here, in San Sebastian. It is fantastic,” Sorloth tells Marca.
“Not only the club, but the city, the people. I love it, really. So, if I stay here for many more years, I’ll be very, very happy. Our goal is to get into the Champions League and, then, we will see.”
Crystal Palace made around £10 million via the sale of Sorloth during the summer of 2020; Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig snapping up the physical frontman on the back of a prolific loan spell at Trabzonspor.
Sorloth, after struggling in Germany, is now playing his best football since those Turkish Super Lig days. Spain’s Golden Boot award looks beyond him – Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski leads the way with 15 – but a place on the podium is not out of the question.
“This is always nice. I always like it when I’m almost at the top with a high figure,” Sorloth adds. “Because it gives you extra motivation. You want to be there, and you can see that there are fantastic players (ahead of you).
“It’s nice to fight (with them), to want to reach them.”
“Now, he is more of a finisher and has some of the best feet in the league,” says former Norwegian striker Simen Stamso-Moller tells TV2..
“When he hits the flow, he looks impossible to stop at times. Now, he has confidence on a different level than before.
“He can be the third highest scorer in La Liga this season. Lewandowski and (Karim) Benzema will probably be top. But, behind them, it’s even.”
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