Jean-Philippe Mateta has surprisingly found some form at Crystal Palace.
It looked like the France international was set to leave Selhurst Park for AC Milan in the winter transfer window, before he failed a medical and the Italian giants sent him back to SE25.
Having already signed Jorgen Strand Larsen as a replacement, many expected Jean-Philippe Mateta never to play for Crystal Palace again, even more so after he handed in a transfer request to try and force the move to AC Milan.
However, the Frenchman is starting to turn his situation around with a goal in the 3-0 win over Fiorentina and a double in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle, and could now be even more motivated to impress following a serious injury to Hugo Ekitike.
World Cup door is open for Jean-Philippe Mateta after Hugo Ekitike ruptures Achilles tendon
Ekitike – who Dougie Freedman wanted at Crystal Palace in 2023 – seemed a certainty to make France’s World Cup squad, having scored 17 goals in 45 appearances for Liverpool this season.
However, the former PSG man sadly ruptured his Achilles tendon during a 2-0 win for his old side in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night, which is set to sideline him for nine months.
It means Didier Deschamps will need to find a replacement for Ekitike in his World Cup squad, and with Mateta now back in the picture under Oliver Glasner, the Crystal Palace No.14 will surely be full of motivation.
Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after scoring for Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League against Fiorentina
Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
The 28-year-old is certainly capable of hitting blistering streaks of form, netting eight goals in eight Premier League games at the start of 2025 last season.
Mateta also scored 13 goals in 13 Premier League games after Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in February 2024.
Few expected the man born in Sevran to ever play for Crystal Palace again – let alone score a goal – but he could well have a significant say in this season after a resurgent week.