Crystal Palace are set to announce the signing of Oscar Mingueza after the Spaniard agreed personal terms ahead of a free transfer.
The versatile defender opted to leave Celta Vigo at the end of last season when his contract expired, and is set to arrive at Selhurst Park after passing a medical on Wednesday.
Mingueza already has a familiar face waiting for him at Crystal Palace in Yeremy Pino – the pair have history of playing for Spain together, sharing a pitch on three occasions.
However, the 27-year-old has much more experience of playing alongside Jorgen Strand Larsen at Celta Vigo, where they played 55 games together and struck up an effective connection.
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Pierre Sage can utilise Mingueza’s crossing ability and Strand Larsen’s aerial dominance
With Crystal Palace planning to use Mingueza on the right flank, there is potential for the Spain international and Strand Larsen to thrive together given his ability to whip in devilish deliveries.
FBREF shows that Mingueza attempted 150 crosses in La Liga throughout the 2023/24 campaign, a season in which Strand Larsen played over 2,860 minutes and scored 13 goals.
A key component of Celta Vigo’s style that term was to supply the Norway international with aerial balls and base the attack around him.
While Mingueza never actually registered an official assist for Strand Larsen throughout those 55 games, his tendency to always look for the Norwegian and his ability to feed a smart ball into him often caused havoc for opponents.
The Crystal Palace new boy even recorded ten goal involvements across 34 games in La Liga during the 2024/25 campaign while playing as a defender, so his end product is there for all to see.
Strand Larsen struggled to get involved in the attack at times following his £48m move from Wolves in February, only netting four goals in 22 appearances for Crystal Palace so far and often getting lost throughout matches.
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Therefore, the arrival of Mingueza will hopefully help the 26-year-old rediscover his best form.
