Mateta’s Transfer Woes and Future at Crystal Palace

Jean-Philippe Mateta appears to be growing increasingly disenchanted with his role at Crystal Palace, having been omitted from the squad for their recent 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Manager Oliver Glasner commented on the decision, stating, “It has nothing to do with transfers at the moment. He is not in the right frame of mind. It wouldn’t make sense for him to play. We must protect the team, and I need to protect him, which is why he will not accompany us to Nottingham.”

Initially, it seemed that Mateta was on the verge of securing a transfer, with Crystal Palace and AC Milan having reached an agreement that included medical checks for the player. However, the Rossoneri identified a medical issue that rendered the transfer unattractive, prompting them to withdraw from the deal.

As reported by BBC Sport, Palace disclosed Mateta’s previous knee issues during negotiations. The striker had ruptured his meniscus in 2019 while with Mainz, requiring surgery that kept him sidelined for six months. Milan concluded that if they were to acquire Mateta, he would need additional surgery to address the ongoing problem, further solidifying their hesitance about the transaction.

This turn of events is a significant setback for Mateta. His impressive performance for Palace last season earned him his first call-up to the French national team, where he has performed commendably, scoring twice in his three appearances. His early success with Les Bleus raised hopes for inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

However, Mateta now faces a challenging decision. If he opts for knee surgery, he risks being sidelined for several months, which could diminish his chances of selection due to the fierce competition among talented French attackers. Conversely, if he chooses not to undergo surgery, he may find himself relegated to a backup role in Croydon, particularly after Palace’s recent investment of approximately £48 million ($66 million) in Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves, marking a club-record deal.

While Mateta has netted eight Premier League goals this season, only one has come in his last ten appearances as the Eagles have experienced a decline in form. His prospective replacement, Larsen, has struggled as well, scoring just once in 22 league matches prior to his transfer.

Crystal Palace has witnessed a player exodus in recent years, with key talents such as Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Marc Guehi moving to more prominent clubs like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Manchester City. The club will be eager to avoid another difficult summer during the upcoming transfer window, yet it appears likely that Mateta will seek a new opportunity following this January episode. Nottingham Forest had previously shown interest, and Juventus is also believed to be monitoring his situation.

Despite a lackluster domestic campaign, which included an early exit from their FA Cup defense against National League North side Macclesfield, there remains potential for Crystal Palace to have a memorable season. They finished 10th in the Conference League, securing a knockout round playoff against Zrinjski Mostar, a club from the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The south Londoners will be looking to make a significant impact in that competition.