Marc Guehi reacts to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Crystal Palace message after injury return
Jean-Philippe Mateta made his much-anticipated return to action in Crystal Palace’s stunning 3-0 FA Cup victory over Fulham on 29 March.
Crystal Palace advanced to the semi-finals thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr, and Eddie Nketiah, securing a place at Wembley.
It was a significant moment for Mateta, who had been sidelined since early March after suffering a horrific head injury in the previous round against Millwall.
Mateta returned to Oliver Glasner’s starting lineup, wearing protective headgear to ensure his safety against Fulham.
The incident against Millwall saw goalkeeper Liam Roberts handed a lengthy six-game ban for a reckless tackle that left the striker with a serious ear injury.
Mateta had confirmed he would be fit to return for the Fulham match, and following the win, he shared another message with his fans.
Crystal Palace to keep Jean-Philippe Mateta amid Manchester United interest
After Palace’s victory over Fulham, Mateta shared an optimistic post on Instagram, saying, “Next stop: Wembley.”
His teammates, including Adam Wharton, goalscorer Sarr, and Marc Guehi, all showed their support by liking the post.
The 27-year-old has had another impressive season for the Eagles, scoring 15 goals in all competitions and providing three assists. He is now just four goals away from matching his tally of 19 from the previous season.
His strong performances have not gone unnoticed, as Man United have shown interest in Mateta, who are looking to strengthen their striker options.
Despite the growing speculation surrounding his future, Football Insider revealed that Crystal Palace are preparing to offer Mateta a new contract, with the club determined to keep him despite the interest from Old Trafford.
| Season statistics | Jean-Philippe Mateta |
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 3 |
Oliver Glasner to be rewarded with new contract after impressive Crystal Palace turnaround
In addition to a potential new deal for Mateta, Palace are also working on securing the future of their manager, Oliver Glasner, following his remarkable turnaround at the club.
After a difficult start to his first full season in the Premier League, where the team secured just one win from the first 10 matches, he has now led the Eagles to a strong run of form in 2025. The team has won 10 out of their last 13 matches, lifting them well into contention for a top-half finish.
Football Insider has revealed that Crystal Palace are in talks to extend Glasner’s contract. The Austrian has attracted interest from RB Leipzig, but Palace are keen to put an end to any speculation and secure his future at Selhurst Park.
With the team’s progress in both the league and the FA Cup, there is growing hope that Glasner can lead the club to a historic end to the season.