Jean-Philippe Mateta nearly left Crystal Palace in January, but a knee problem led to AC Milan pulling the plug on a £30m deadline day deal. The French striker pushed to leave the club and publicly voiced his desire to do so.
A failed medical means Mateta remains a Palace player and could soon be back in action for Oliver Glasner’s side. He hasn’t featured for the Eagles since late January and won’t be available for tomorrow night’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Glasner takes his troops to North London for an encounter with a relegation-battling Spurs side. The Austrian coach will likely continue with Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line.
Strand Larsen joined Palace from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a club-record £48m deal on deadline day. The Norweigan got his move despite Mateta failing a medical with Milan, and he has the chance to deny his fellow striker an immediate return to the starting lineup.
Glasner on Mateta
Glasner confirmed Mateta will be absent for the Tottenham game but is optimistic he will return for the Europa Conference League last-16 tie. He told reporters (via Hayters TV):
“We’re planning for him to be partly integrated next Monday in the team training for the Larnaca game. It will be the same, starting from the bench.”
Mateta has appeared 34 times across competitions this season, posting 10 goals and two assists. He will be eager to reclaim the number nine starting berth from Strand Larsen.
Glasner added:
“He was out for a long time, but his knee looks better now. That’s why we have decided to reintegrate him. We have to be careful, but the goal is that he is available for the Larnaca and Leeds games.“
Palace host Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their Conference League last 16 tie next Thursday (March 12th). They then welcome Leeds United to Selhurst Park three days later before the international break.
Mateta likely bidding farewell
All signs point to Mateta leaving Palace in the summer despite his failed move to Milan in January. The Frenchman irked fans with his approach to securing a transfer, forgetting how much the club has given him over the years.
There is a chance the former Mainz frontman stays in the Premier League. Reports claim that Newcastle United are showing interest and that Eddie Howe likes his top-flight experience.
| Jean Philippe-Mateta | Data |
|---|---|
| League appearances: | 23 |
| Goals: | 8 |
| Assists: | 0 |
| Contract expires: | 30/06/2027 |
| Transfermarkt value: | £35 million |
If Mateta is to leave Selhurst Park, he can at least do so on good terms and possibly with another trophy to add to his cabinet. The Conference League is the focus for Glasner’s side, and their potential route to glory is already known.
