Crystal Palace stars ‘unhappy’ with Jean-Philippe Mateta after ‘he refused to play’
Jean-Philippe Mateta missed out on a deadline-day move to AC Milan from Crystal Palace, leading to questions about his return to Selhurst Park.
A persisting knee injury, potential surgery and a fractured relationship with the fanbase are just three of the issues looming for the France international.
Meanwhile, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that some of the influential players in the dressing room have been left “unhappy” with Mateta.
The striker’s decision to push for a move away mid-way through the season and his decision not to play as Palace drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest has led to frustrations.
Newly-appointed Palace captain Dean Henderson appeared to hint at the issue after the game: “It’s important we have the lads in the dressing room that keep showing up for the badge.” [South London]
Crystal Palace stars ‘unhappy’ with Jean-Philippe Mateta
Brown told Football Insider on 3 February that Mateta must prove he wants to be at Palace by getting his head down and working hard for the rest of the season.
However, doubt has been cast over his role in Oliver Glasner‘s squad, and the striker has a lot of making up to do if he wishes to return to the side.
“I don’t agree at all with the way Mateta has gone about things,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s been making noise about how much he wants to be paid, which clubs are interested, all of that forgetting that Crystal Palace are the reason he’s in this position.
“It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but in my experience, it doesn’t go down well with the squad.
“He refused to play against Nottingham Forest, saying his head wasn’t in the right place, and there have been suggestions he’s not been training either, that can have an impact on the squad.
“From what I hear, some of the stronger players in that dressing room are unhappy with him. There are some good lads in that dressing room, so I’m not surprised.
“They’ll say, you’ve made your bed, you’ll have to lie in it. They’re getting on with the job with players who want to play for Crystal Palace.
“Mateta can’t have an argument for that, because it’s not as if he’s been banging the goals in either. Plus, they’ve signed Strand Larsen now, so it might be hard for him to get back in.”
Everton make new Dwight McNeil transfer plan
Mateta’s exit was not the only deal to fall through on deadline day, after Crystal Palace pulled out of a last-minute move to sign the Everton winger.
McNeil shared an emotional social media post following the breakdown of his £20million move, with him and his partner having been set on a move to London.
Palace submitted a deal sheet to apply for extra time in their race to agree the deal, but then pulled out, leaving the winger in limbo despite terms being finalised.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 3 February Everton are open to offers for McNeil and are prepared to let him leave in the summer.
The arrival of Tyrique George from Chelsea meant David Moyes gave the green light for another winger to leave, and the same is expected to be the case in the summer.
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