Crystal Palace Boss Keeps Striker Mateta Out of Squad for Forest Game Amid Milan Tie-Up Talks
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has revealed that Jean-Philippe Mateta will not be in the squad for Sunday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest due to his "current form and mental state." The 28-year-old striker, who is currently at the center of a transfer saga with Italian club AC Milan, will miss the game as a result.
Palace are believed to be considering an offer from Milan, which could reach up to £35m for Mateta. However, Milan's deal includes a three-and-a-half-year contract, which would tie down Mateta until 2027. The striker has expressed his desire to join Milan in order to further his ambitions of playing in the World Cup.
Glasner explained that Mateta will not be traveling with Palace to Forest, citing concerns about his mental state and focus on the pitch. "He's just not in the right place to play," Glasner said. "If somebody has some private issues that he can't really focus on football, then it makes no sense to play him because then he can't help the team or perform on the top level."
The decision to leave Mateta out of the squad may be related to Palace's concerns about selling a player to a rival Premier League club. Milan have also been linked with interest in other Palace players, including Evann Guessand, who has joined the club on loan from Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Palace are still in talks over the transfer of Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for £45m, plus £5m in add-ons. However, concerns about the record-breaking fee may have stalled the deal.
The situation with Mateta is likely to be resolved soon, but Palace's window of opportunity may be rapidly closing as Milan continue to push for a deal. The Italian club are understood to be willing to meet Palace's asking price of £40m for Mateta, and it remains to be seen whether the Premier League outfit will accept the offer.
Palace boss Glasner has vowed to complete signings before the January deadline, but the transfer market is proving to be increasingly complex and unpredictable. As one deal hangs in the balance, another opportunity may soon arise - but only if Palace can find a solution to the Mateta conundrum.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has revealed that Jean-Philippe Mateta will not be in the squad for Sunday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest due to his "current form and mental state." The 28-year-old striker, who is currently at the center of a transfer saga with Italian club AC Milan, will miss the game as a result.
Palace are believed to be considering an offer from Milan, which could reach up to £35m for Mateta. However, Milan's deal includes a three-and-a-half-year contract, which would tie down Mateta until 2027. The striker has expressed his desire to join Milan in order to further his ambitions of playing in the World Cup.
Glasner explained that Mateta will not be traveling with Palace to Forest, citing concerns about his mental state and focus on the pitch. "He's just not in the right place to play," Glasner said. "If somebody has some private issues that he can't really focus on football, then it makes no sense to play him because then he can't help the team or perform on the top level."
The decision to leave Mateta out of the squad may be related to Palace's concerns about selling a player to a rival Premier League club. Milan have also been linked with interest in other Palace players, including Evann Guessand, who has joined the club on loan from Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Palace are still in talks over the transfer of Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for £45m, plus £5m in add-ons. However, concerns about the record-breaking fee may have stalled the deal.
The situation with Mateta is likely to be resolved soon, but Palace's window of opportunity may be rapidly closing as Milan continue to push for a deal. The Italian club are understood to be willing to meet Palace's asking price of £40m for Mateta, and it remains to be seen whether the Premier League outfit will accept the offer.
Palace boss Glasner has vowed to complete signings before the January deadline, but the transfer market is proving to be increasingly complex and unpredictable. As one deal hangs in the balance, another opportunity may soon arise - but only if Palace can find a solution to the Mateta conundrum.
. They know he's got eyes on AC Milan and that's gonna make him wanna leave anyway. It's not like they're losing out on a ton of cash, £35m or whatever... but I guess the thing is, it's about keeping your core team intact for next season. But honestly, if Mateta is just not feeling himself mentally, then maybe he shouldn't be playing in such high-pressure situations anyway 
. The thought of him slumping under pressure and letting his game slide is a bit too much to handle... plus the fact that Milan are willing to meet Palace's asking price is making it even harder for them to keep him 
. But at the same time, I get what Oliver Glasner is saying - if someone's mental state is a bit off, it's not fair to them or the team to keep forcing them to perform 
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. Palace needs to find a solution to the Mateta thing ASAP, but I'm not holding my breath 
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. Maybe they should focus on other players who are already part of the squad?
What do you guys think? Should Mateta stay or go? He's got a lot riding on the World Cup, and if he can get out of Palace, it could be a great opportunity for him... but will Milan pay what they're offering? 
. First of all, £35m for him? That's a lot of dosh! And what's with Milan tying him down until 2027? That's like, a lifetime contract 
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. I think there's more to it than just a transfer saga. There's some bigger picture stuff going on here, and we'll see what really happens in the end 
️. But on the other hand, leaving Mateta out of the squad for a crucial match against Nottingham Forest seems like a big opportunity cost 
. I think it would have been better if they had found a way to work with him despite his transfer saga. Now, Palace are missing out on some valuable experience and momentum from Mateta, which could be hard to replace 
. It's also got me thinking - is £35m really worth giving up Mateta for? I'm not sure if it is 
. They're worried he'll leave mid-season or something, but I think Mateta just needs some time to figure his head out and then he'll be back on track. It's weird Palace are being so uptight about this, considering how much they're getting offered. Milan seems like a great opportunity for him, who knows maybe we'll see Mateta in the World Cup with Italy 
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But, at the same time, they need to get rid of players who aren't performing well like Guessand... 
. Like what's £35m between mates? It's not like Mateta is gonna make or break the team, just some random striker who's got his head in the clouds 
. Palace should just give him a decent offer and let him go, it's not worth all this drama 
it's tough when you're trying to decide whether to stay or go, especially if there's a big club like milan interested in him 
but at the same time,glasner's right - if mateta's not focused on the pitch then he can't help the team either 
. Either way, it's all about the money and who's got the upper hand in these negotiations 
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... if Palace don't sort out Mateta soon, Milan will snatch him up and it'll be too late 
... stats show that teams with high squad turnover struggle in the playoffs 
(30% of playoff teams had >50% squad turnover) 
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. But Palace needs to think about their own squad goals