Jean-Philippe Mateta, the French striker who was on the brink of joining AC Milan for a whopping £30m on deadline day, had his move thwarted due to knee issues that surfaced during two medical examinations. However, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has recently revealed that Mateta's knee injury is "not as bad as feared" and will not require surgery.
Mateta has been grappling with this injury throughout the first half of the season. Despite this setback, several specialists and doctors have downplayed its severity, providing some relief to both player and club.
This news comes as a significant boost for Mateta's aspirations of representing France in the upcoming World Cup scheduled to commence in June. While it remains uncertain when he will return to training, Glasner assured fans that once fit again, Mateta would be "100% committed" to Crystal Palace and warmly welcomed back into their fold.
Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, said:
"I'm 100% convinced that JP will give his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again, and I think then he deserves the best support. I'm pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way, appreciating what he has done for Crystal Palace.
"As long as a player is here, as long as a manager is here, as long as a staff member is here, then everybody can expect being 100% committed to Crystal Palace, and that is what JP will show."
Stellar record despite challenges
Despite carrying an injury during this season’s first half, 28-year-old Mateta has managed an impressive tally of 56 goals in 186 appearances for Crystal Palace. This includes eight goals scored in just this Premier League season alone. However, upon his return from recovery, he will face stiff competition from Jorgen Strand Larsen - Crystal Palace's club-record signing who joined them from Wolves for a deal worth up to £48m on deadline day.
Crystal Palace currently stands at 13th place in the Premier League table. They are set to host Burnley - currently languishing at 19th place - on Wednesday. With or without their star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta available for selection due to his ongoing recovery process; it promises to be an engaging encounter for sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike.
While Mateta's knee injury has been a cause of concern, the recent developments have brought a sigh of relief to Crystal Palace and their fans. The striker's return is eagerly awaited as his presence on the field could significantly influence the team's performance in upcoming matches.
