Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio has provided her assessment of Matheus França as the Crystal Palace youngster prepares to start his loan spell at Vasco da Gama.
The 21-year-old has just landed in Rio de Janeiro and is close to being officially unveiled, with fans eager to know what he can bring to the team.
Speaking in an exclusive interview for club insider outlet **[News Almirante](https://x.com/NewsAlmirantee/status/1960675453691121911)**, she pointed out that the forward’s main weakness is his lack of experience at senior level. _“He came through in 2021, played quite a bit in 2022, then moved to Palace in early 2023. He had to adapt, dealt with injuries, including a serious one, and missed a lot of time. Coming back is tough when the competition is so strong. So I’d say the limited background as a professional is a negative.”_
Asked about his time in England, Simplicio stressed that even with limited minutes it had value. _“Without a doubt, his spell at Crystal Palace helped him evolve, especially tactically. The pace is quicker, you have to think and act faster, and those experiences force you to mature in every sense.”_
On his potential, she believes he can grow into a key player domestically. _“He can establish himself in Brazilian football. The national team is still a bit far away because of the competition and his lack of experience, but he has the qualities to settle in here. I’d compare him to Jean Lucas at Bahia, who became an important pillar in Brazil.”_
Looking ahead, Simplicio stressed that his impact in 2025 will depend on how quickly he adapts and builds rhythm, but if he does, he could prove to be one of Vasco’s most important signings in recent years.