Oliver Glasner in black coat on left, Jean-Philippe Mateta playing for Crystal Palace on right

Oliver Glasner Jean-Philippe MatetaImago

Jean-Philippe Mateta shows why Nottingham Forest must complete unlikely striker signing

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

29 Jul 2026, 4:00 pm

Nottingham Forest should look to complete the signing of Liam Delap this summer, with Oliver Glasner previously proving he can get the best out of struggling strikers.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that the Tricky Trees were showing interest in the Chelsea striker, who has had a miserable time at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old only netted one Premier League goal last season, in what was a forgettable campaign for the 2025 signing.

As a result, many fans do not want to see Delap move to the City Ground, fearing that this form could continue in the East Midlands.

However, Glasner’s previous work with Jean-Philippe Mateta should be enough proof that the manager could turn the Chelsea flop back into a star.

The Crystal Palace attacker struggled to consistently deliver at Selhurst Park for years until the manager’s arrival in 2024, which turned him into the player he is today.

Oliver Glasner could return Liam Delap to form

Previously, Mateta was a major flop at Crystal Palace.

In his first two full campaigns, he only netted a combined nine goals, and this awful form continued for the first half of the 2023-24 season.

This was until Glasner showed up and turned the France international into a beast.

In the remaining 13 games of the Premier League season, he netted 13 times, including a final-day hat-trick against Aston Villa.

This form continued for the next two campaigns, as the striker helped Palace win three major trophies.

Therefore, Delap must be signed by Forest this summer. The manager clearly knows how to repair the form of strikers who are struggling, and the Chelsea flop could turn out to be one of the bargains of the century if this can be repeated.

'He is exceptional' - Nottingham Forest fans thrilled as new bid submitted

Who else are Nottingham Forest looking to sign?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of highly-rated Feyenoord defender Givairo Read.

The Reds have already submitted numerous bids for the 20-year-old defender, who has already provisionally agreed to the terms of a five-year contract.

There is now an expectation that the transfer will go through, with the two clubs edging closer to a full agreement.

Read is seen as a highly promising right-back, having broken through into the starting XI during the 2024-25 season.

Liam Delap