Jean-Philippe Mateta
CRYFrance
Right
Jun 28, 1997
28
6'4"
194 lb
CF
--
Poacher
PalaceWill be rested against Newcastle
Mateta will be rested for Sunday's clash against Newcastle, according to coach Oliver Glasner, per Sam Tabuteau of Standard Sport.
Analysis: Mateta made a goal-scoring return to fitness in Thursday's 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League, but coach Glasner is taking a measured approach to his reintegration after a lengthy absence. The Frenchman is still building his way back to full match sharpness and the April 20 clash against West Ham is shaping up as a more realistic target for him to build more minutes. With the World Cup on the horizon, getting Mateta fully fit and firing before the end of the season remains the priority for both club and player. Jorgen Strand Larsen will be the one starting as the striker against the Magpies.
Still building minutes
Mateta is still regaining fitness and will likely be limited for a few more games, according to manager Oliver Galsner. "It was the plan now to get him back, and also have him available and give him a few minutes to get him back in. Then, we have three weeks. Then, we'll use the three weeks to get him into a better shape and into a better rhythm. And then having JP in a better shape than he is now and helping us maybe for 30 minutes or 45 or even for 60 minutes."
Analysis: Mateta returned to the field Thursday in Conference League action, earning some time off the bench. That said, he is not set to build up minutes in the next few games as he works on his fitness, needing some time after the decent absence. The hope for the future is still to push for the French World Cup team, needing a solid end to the season after his injury for that to come to fruition.
Features off bench in draw
Mateta featured off bench in Thursday's 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League, confirming he is back fit for Crystal Palace.
Analysis: Mateta returned to action after the knee injury that had kept him sidelined since late January, coming off the bench in Thursday's draw against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League. It's a welcome boost for the Eagles after he delivered solid performances prior to his setback with eight goals across 23 Premier League appearances. That said, his minutes could take a hit going forward following the club's winter-window addition of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Available going forward
Mateta (knee) will be available for Thursday's Conference League first leg against AEK Larnaca, according to coach Oliver Glasner. "Jean-Philippe Mateta is back and will be in the squad for tomorrow night. No [he is not ready for 90 minutes] - he didn't train for five or six weeks on the pitch, and he's now back for three days, so no chance [of 90 minutes]. But it's good to have him back. He showed in training he's always able to create chances, score goals, and that's why it's good to have him back."
Analysis: Mateta will be available for Thursday's Conference League first leg against AEK Larnaca after missing the last six matches with a knee injury. The forward had been a starter before the setback, though the club is expected to manage his return carefully. He could gradually see more minutes and will compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen for the role up front.
Set to train next week
Mateta (knee) will return to partial training Monday and could begin on the bench in next week's Europa League clash against Larnaca, according to coach Oliver Glasner. "We're planning for him Mateta to be partly integrated next Monday in the team training for the Larnaca game. It will be the same, starting from the bench. 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."
Analysis: Mateta will return to partial team training Monday after missing the last five Premier League matches due to a knee injury and could start on the bench in the Europa League clash against Larnaca. The forward had been a regular starter prior to the setback and may face competition for minutes for a while as he regains full match fitness from Jorgen Strand Larsen, who arrived during the winter transfer window.
Still out 2-3 weeks
Mateta (knee) remains unavailable after coach Oliver Glasner gave an update on his situation in Wednesday's press conference. "We hope to have back in the next two or three weeks."
Analysis: Mateta avoided surgery after sustaining a serious knee injury in January, and he's currently expected to return during the current season, though he'll miss at least the upcoming fixtures versus Wolverhampton and Manchester United. The striker remains his team's scoring leader with eight goals in the 2025/26 EPL season, and losing him has limited their attacking potential. However, winter signing Jorgen Strand Larsen is in decent form and should be the main beneficiary of playing time while Mateta is inactive.
Avoids surgery, few more weeks out
Mateta (knee) has avoided surgery and will look to return within the next two to four weeks, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "Fortunately, he doesn't need surgery [on his knee]. The injury is not as bad as feared, and so we think - and the opinion from several specialists and doctors - is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery. He will miss a certain time - I can't say two weeks, three weeks or four weeks - but he doesn't need surgery, that's very positive, so hopefully he's back soon. Of course, it's a disappointment, but now he's looking forward to the next months, and it's good for him that a final decision has been taken."
Analysis: Matteta has finally ended his saga, battling with a knee injury following a failed transfer, as the forward will not need surgery on his knee. Instead, he will take the next two to four weeks off to recover and focus on rehab at the Palace training grounds. This will leave him with a return near the end of February, but it will be a massive return for the club, with the forward notching eight goals in 23 appearances this season. Jorgen Strand Larsen appears to be set to continue seeing the start until Mateta returns.
Won't play in coming week
Mateta (knee) will not play the next week as the club makes a final decision on how to manage his knee, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "He won't play on Sunday at Brighton, and he won't play against Burnley. We want now a final decision how to manage his knee, what we have to do, what we should do. As everybody can imagine, it's a tricky situation for everyone - for him, for everyone at the club - but at the end, if the decision will be taken that we manage his knee until the end of the season, he will be back in the squad. If he doesn't undergo surgery and the knee is okay, he will start training with us and he will get integrated, and then he has to fight for his position like everyone else, but this is what he knows and he's fine with it."
Analysis: Mateta's long saga continues as a knee injury for the forward remains a major concern for the club. He will now miss the next week of action as he continues to weigh his options, potentially playing through the injury to make the World Cup or instead receive surgery to put the injury behind him. He will miss out against Brighton and Burnley as he waits his assessment, with a decision to be made ahead of the Feb. 22 match against Wolves.
Surgery decision to come soon
Mateta (knee) is set to decide on knee surgery soon, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Analysis: Mateta is a major talking point at the moment after a failed transfer to AC Milan, with a knee injury discovered during the medical. He will now have to make a quick decision on whether he will receive the surgery or wait until the end of the season, as this would put an end to his World Cup hopes. This is a critical situation for both club and player, likely to force major alterations if he decides to go through with the surgery.
Knee injury leads to failed transfer
Mateta failed a medical with AC Milan due to a knee injury and could potentially receive surgery, according to Sacha Tavolieri.
Analysis: Mateta has been surrounded by transfer rumors and after finally traveling to Italy for a medical, it fell through due to a knee injury. This brings up more worries for the forward as an apparent surgery could be on the horizon to heal from the injury, although that would keep him out of World Cup campaign with France. That said, his current status remains up in the air, as the player is unlikely to bow out of the World Cup and club's are still interested in a loan for him. More about his situation should be available in the next few days, with the club set to take the field again on Sunday and transfer deadline day coming to an end Monday night.
Won't play Sunday
Mateta is not going to be in the squad to face Nottingham Forest, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "We will talk about things we can confirm. I can confirm JP will not be in the matchday squad, but it is nothing to do right now with the transfers. He is not in the place. To play makes no sense. We have to protect the team and I have to protect him. That is why he will not travel with us to Nottingham."
Analysis: Mateta will not be in the squad Sunday as the forward has faced transfer rumors of the past month, with the player possibly on his way out to end the window. This is a major loss for the squad, as he has yet to miss a start all season, recording eight goals in 23 appearances. This will then leave the forward role open for the first time all season, with Brennan Johnson a possible option to take over the spot for the time being.
Will play Sunday
Mateta will be available for Sunday's game against Chelsea, manager Olivier Glasner told media during Friday's press conference. "He will play on Sunday," Glasner said.
Analysis: Mateta has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park before the end of the January transfer window, with Juventus and Aston Villa being linked with him. However, Glasner confirmed the Frenchman will be available. His presence provides a huge boost to the attack for Palace, especially with Eddie Nketiah (strain) being a doubt. Mateta has netted eight goals on 22 EPL appearances this season.
Two shot attempts in loss
Mateta had two shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 loss against Sunderland.
Analysis: Mateta led the Crystal Palace attacking effort Saturday with two shots (one on goal) in their 2-1 road defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Though the striker was unable to find the back of the net, he did contribute five clearances and one block of the team's defensive effort across his 90-minute shift. Across his last five league appearances (five starts), Mateta has attempted just six shots (two on goal) and scored once.
Scores opener
Mateta scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Fulham.
Analysis: Mateta scored with his only shot of the match against Fulham on Thursday, heading home from a well-weighted Nathaniel Clyne delivery to end a five-match goal drought. The Frenchman remains his side's primary attacking outlet, having netted eight goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season, and his role as the team's penalty taker means he is always capable of delivering a goal contribution.
Will start against Leeds United
Mateta will be in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Leeds United, coach Oliver Glasner said in the press conference.
Analysis: Mateta has been playing through knee pain and was rested for the midweek Conference League clash, but he is expected to be in the starting squad for Saturday's clash against Leeds United, according to coach Oliver Glasner. This is great news for the Eagles, since it suggests the Frenchman is fit to play and that the pain is manageable and only minor.
Playing through knee pain
Mateta was playing through knee pain in recent weeks, and the club hopes he will not have to undergo surgery for his injury, according to Sam Tabuteau from The Standard.
Analysis: Mateta has been playing through knee pain in recent weeks, and Crystal Palace are managing his minutes as they hope the striker will not have to undergo the same surgery that Daniel Munoz had to his knee, which ruled him out until next year. The Frenchman should be available for Saturday's clash against Leeds United, but if he was to start on the bench or ultimately miss out, Eddie Nketiah would likely see a greater role in the frontline for the Eagles.
Three shots, no goal
Mateta had three shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 3-0 loss against Manchester City.
Analysis: Mateta would be back in the starting XI Sunday after some injury concerns, although limited to 63 minutes. He would record a decent three shots, but only one would hit the target, with none hitting the back of the net. He will hope to remain fit moving forward, although the club may manage his minutes for a few more games.
Starting immediately
Mateta (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Manchester City.
Analysis: Mateta was likely to be an option and has passed his testing for Sunday, not just an option, but finding the starting XI immediately. The forward still has yet to miss a start all season, with seven goals in 16 appearances.
Hopeful for Sunday
Mateta (undisclosed) is hopeful to be an option for Sunday's match against Manchester City, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "All who played should be fine, and then we hope that JP is available for the game. Of course, we need to train with them and see if there is any reaction, but it looks good and looks okay right now."
Analysis: Mateta was hopeful to train Friday and appears to have taken the field, as the forward is now looking to be an option Sunday. He will likely need to train Saturday again before passing a late test Sunday, with that deciding if he is an option. He is their starting forward, so they will look for his availability, likely to earn the start if he is selected for the team sheet.
Targeting return to training Friday
Mateta (rest) is targeting a return to training Friday and should be available for Sunday's clash with Manchester City, per manager Oliver Glasner."JP will rest. We have to manage his knee, so he's stayed at home. The plan is that JP will return to training on Friday and then he should be available."
Analysis: Mateta is hopeful of making a return during Friday's training session after being ruled out for Thursday's clash with Shelbourne. The forward has only gone 60 minutes in the last two Premier League matches, and it seems a nagging knee issue has been the reason for it. Mateta has been streaky in front of goal this season but has started every Premier League match for Palace.
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