Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and the club are now carefully evaluating whether the French forward should undergo surgical intervention on his troublesome knee, a decision that carries significant implications for his international ambitions with France at the upcoming World Cup.
Transfer Collapse Sparks Medical Reevaluation
A visibly disappointed Mateta has returned to training with his Palace teammates after seeing a substantial £30 million deadline day transfer to Italian giants AC Milan dramatically fall through. The proposed move collapsed specifically on medical grounds, with Milan's medical team expressing reservations after their initial examinations.
Chronic Knee Issues Resurface
Mateta has been managing persistent knee pain throughout this season, with Palace coach Oliver Glasner acknowledging before Christmas that the club was attempting to carefully nurse the 28-year-old through matches. The coaching staff had been hopeful they could manage the situation without resorting to surgical procedures, but recent developments have forced a reconsideration of this approach.
Crystal Palace maintained full transparency with AC Milan regarding Mateta's medical condition, providing the Italian club with comprehensive medical reports towards the end of last week as transfer negotiations progressed. However, Milan's concerns specifically centred on Mateta's right knee, where the striker had previously suffered a meniscus rupture back in 2019 while playing for Mainz.
Medical Assessment Recommends Operation
Following that earlier injury, Mateta underwent surgery that sidelined him for approximately six months. AC Milan dispatched their club doctor, Stefano Mazzoni, to conduct further detailed tests on the player. Mazzoni concluded that Mateta would likely require another operation rather than continued load management to properly address what has been described as 'inflammation' in the joint.
The medical assessment suggested that surgical intervention could potentially rule Mateta out of action for up to three months, a timeline that initially seemed excessive to some within the Palace medical staff. Nevertheless, there is now a growing consensus that surgery might represent the most prudent long-term course of action, potentially allowing Mateta to return towards the conclusion of the current season.
World Cup Ambitions Complicate Decision
For Mateta personally, the timing presents a particularly difficult dilemma. The striker's primary concern revolves around playing sufficient first-team football to secure a place in France's World Cup squad, a career-defining opportunity that could be jeopardised by an extended period of rehabilitation.
Palace's Strategic Considerations
Crystal Palace's recent £48 million acquisition of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen provides the club with a ready-made replacement should Mateta require surgery, offering some tactical flexibility in their decision-making process. Furthermore, a fully fit Mateta aligns perfectly with Palace's strategic plan to potentially sell the striker during the upcoming summer transfer window.
With Mateta's current contract set to expire in 2027, all parties involved have expressed a desire to reach a definitive resolution regarding his fitness and future before the commencement of next season. The coming weeks will prove crucial as player and club weigh medical advice against sporting ambitions in this complex situation.
