- Crystal Palace face West Ham
- Jean-Philippe Mateta could still join AC Milan
- Evann Guessand decision made
Crystal Palace have been in party mood in recent days after booking their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. But Oliver Glasner’s men will need to switch their focus to Monday’s encounter with relegation battlers West Ham United.
While the Eagles will be in action on the pitch, there are certainly moves being made by the higher-ups. That includes preparation for this summer’s transfer window with decisions to make over several players’ futures.
Two of those are Jean-Philippe Mateta and Evann Guessand who have been key men in recent weeks. They find themselves in different situations but still with their futures unclear.
Hosting the Hammers
Palace’s safety is all but confirmed as Glasner’s side sit on 42 points and are 11 points above 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur. The Conference League campaign means there are still seven games remaining in the Premier League and that includes an encounter with West Ham.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table ahead of Monday’s clash at Selhurst Park. But a recent upturn in form means they are 17th, a point above Spurs and can move even further ahead with a win.
Glasner will likely make changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Fiorentina in the second leg of their quarter-final midweek. Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix came off in the first half with injuries.
Mateta to Milan?
It’s fair to say that Mateta has got himself back on good terms with Palace fans over the past week. The French frontman opened the scoring in a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg at Selhurst Park.
The 28-year-old then netted a brace in a 2-1 comeback win against Newcastle United last Sunday. While he has enjoyed a resurgence and seems to have won the fans back over, he looks to still be headed for the exit door this summer.
Reports claim that Palace are “open” to selling Mateta and that AC Milan are likely to come back in for him. He pushed to join the Serie A giants in January but failed a medical ahead of a proposed £30m switch.
Going For Guessand
Mateta might be leaving but it appears Guessand is here to stay. The Ivorian has spent the second half of last season on loan from Aston Villa and impressed.
Guessand’s loan included a clause that would make the deal permanent if he reached a number of appearances. That is unlikely to be fulfilled now because he has sustained an injury and will be sidelined for the next two weeks.
The Eagles are still keen to make his stay long-term, though, as reports indicate they will buy him regardless of the loan arrangement. He might well be the first permanent signing of the post-Glasner era.
