It’s been quite the rollercoaster for Jean-Philippe Mateta since he arrived on English soil last year. The Frenchman joined Crystal Palace on an 18-month loan deal from Mainz in January 2021 and quickly made a name for himself by scoring his first goal in a famous away win against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
Patrick Vieira said: “I’m really happy for him because I don’t think Jean-Philippe Mateta gets the credit that he deserves. Against City or the last few games he played, he had a massive impact on team performance. I’m really happy for him because he gets awarded with the goal he scored because he’s been running around all over the place. On the defensive side and on the offensive side he was running in behind, holding the ball, stretching the opposition and their back three. When he came off he’d given everything. I’m really, really happy with what he’s bringing to the team.”
Mateta has found the perfect time to come into form and Vieira now has one less position that he needs to worry about. If he remains fit, Mateta should start every one of Palace’s remaining games, including the huge FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley next month.
