- Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Crystal Palace future
- French striker still tipped to depart
- Pierre Sage could be important
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future remains in doubt despite returning to form and winning Crystal Palace fans back. The French forward pushed for a departure in January and nearly got his wish.
AC Milan agreed to a £30m deal to sign Mateta but pulled the plug after issues with his knee during a medical. The French frontman returned to Selhurst Park and sat out for months due to a knee injury.
Mateta recovered and reclaimed his starting berth in Oliver Glasner’s team. He also restored a fractured relationship with the club’s fanbase.
Update on Mateta
Mateta scored the winner in Palace’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano. This might be his final act as an Eagles star.
Former Premier League scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that a Mateta exit still seems likely. He said:
“It’s going to be difficult for Palace to keep Mateta. I’ve said it from the start, Mateta would be best suited staying at Crystal Palace where he has proven he can perform. and where he is loved by the fans.”
Mateta appeared 50 times across competitions this season, posting 16 goals and three assists. His fine form for club has earned him a call up to the World Cup withh France.
Brown believes he’d be taking a risk if he were to move club this summer:
“There’s always an element of risk that comes with moving to a bigger club, there’s more pressure, more expectation, and you have to up your game. I’m not saying Mateta can’t do that, by all accounts he has the right mentality for it, but if I were advising him I would suggest staying at Palace would not be that bad.”
Mateta will have a year left on his contract which puts Palace under pressure to either extend his deal or cash in. Brown added:
“They could offer him a new contract, on the wages he was asking for before, and see if that goes anywhere, although it’s still unlikely at this stage. If they can’t agree new terms, they’re going to have to sell him because they definitely don’t want to lose him for free, but in an ideal world they would love him to extend.”
Mateta has been with Palace since January 2022 and has become a fan favourite. He played a key role in winning the FA Cup last year and has made 202 appearances at Selhurst Park.
Pierre Sage appointment could be key
Any decision the club and Mateta make might depend on who replaces Glasner at the helm. Reports indicate that the South Londoners are in advanced talks with Lens’ Pierre Sage.
The French tactician could be keen to keep his fellow countryman as he settles into life at Selhurst Park. Losing Mateta will mean a replacement is needed.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has failed to live up to expectations thus far since arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £48m deal in January. The Norweigan lost his place in Glasner’s team to Mateta.
