[PA Media]
Back in February, I penned an article questioning Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future at Crystal Palace. When he stepped back onto the Selhurst Park pitch on March 12 for a 0-0 game against AEK Larnaca, the crowd’s reaction—a wave of boos—spoke volumes about their discontent with the events of January.
Fast forward four weeks, and the atmosphere has entirely shifted; our number 14 is enjoying his moment again… celebrating by kicking the corner flag!
During what I believe was Palace’s standout match in the Conference League, Mateta showcased his talents. His penalty against Fiorentina paved the way for a clearly dominant win, positioning us well for the upcoming away fixture.
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, the French striker shared, “I dreamed about that for nights.” Perhaps not being favored by Oliver Glasner reignited Mateta’s competitive spirit.
Just three days later against Newcastle, Mateta came off the bench with 25 minutes to go and transformed the match. His impressive two-goal effort was precisely the spark we had been missing, creating an electrifying atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
Furthermore, Jorgen Strand Larsen has struggled to find his rhythm, scoring only three goals in 11 appearances, which has allowed Mateta a chance to shine. I envision a partnership between the two, although Glasner seems hesitant to adjust his established system.
We might witness a repeat of the Wilfried Zaha saga from 2019, where a player transforms from villain to club hero… and what better way to achieve that than by leading Palace to their first European trophy!
For more insights from Ellie Killick, check out her series Eagle Eye View.