Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has dropped a huge bombshell, hinting that he may leave the Premier League side in search of ‘Champions League and the biggest trophies’.
Mateta has been one of the key figures behind Palace’s six-match unbeaten run, which ended after a 1-2 loss to Everton.
The Frenchman has scored 30 Premier League goals in the last two seasons. He signed for the Eagles in 2022 after leaving Mainz and has since gone from strength to strength. He won Palace’s Player of the Season award after scoring 16 league goals in the 2023-24 campaign.
Last year, Mateta helped Palace win their first-ever major trophy as they defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The 28-year-old finished the season with 14 league goals, and he has carried forward the momentum this term as well.
Jean-Philippe Mateta speaks about his future
With 2 goals so far this season, Mateta earned his first senior call-up, and he could make his debut for France later this month.
Speaking about his future ambitions, the Frenchman hinted that he is open to joining a bigger club to win trophies, including the Champions League.
“It’s natural, every ambitious player wants to reach that milestone,” Jean-Philippe Mateta told RMC Sport.
He added, “Especially when you arrive in the national team and around you, there are only players who play in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies. When you play surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally, you want to reach that milestone.”
Which team could Jean-Philippe Mateta join?
According to reports from Caught Offside, Mateta has been on the radar of three Premier League clubs. Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Newcastle have all been keeping tabs on the Frenchman. It has been reported that Crystal Palace would demand a fee in the region of the £40 million ($54m) for their star forward.
Previously, the striker was also linked to Tottenham and Manchester United, but the two teams have decided to pursue other options.
What next for Mateta and France?
The former Mainz striker has reported for international duties, and he will be training with Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps urged the forward to compete for his place in the playing XI ahead of France’s World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
“He (Jean-Philippe Mateta) has to do what he knows how to do, which is to play as naturally as possible,” Deschamps said.
The World Cup-winning coach continued, “He has a good habit of scoring goals, whether for his club or with the younger teams and the Olympic team during the Olympic Games. So this is a big moment for him. Let him come with his enthusiasm and his qualities.”
France is at the top of their World Cup qualification group, and their next match will be against bottom-placed Azerbaijan at Parc des Princes on 10 October.
