Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has revealed that Jean-Philippe Mateta will decide next week whether to undergo surgery on his ongoing knee problem that ended his chances of joining AC Milan in the January transfer window.
The French forward has played with swelling in his knee for much of this season and failed a medical in Italy on transfer deadline day, thwarting a move that would have seen him join the Serie A giants for £26m.
Glasner was not surprised that the 28-year-old Mateta failed his medical exam, but now he will be the fourth consultant. The consultant, who Mateta worked with when he played for Mainz in 2022, will advise him on the best course of action ahead of this summer’s World Cup in France.
“I have said frequently that we have to manage his knee, but the most important thing is the player’s health. There is no concern that we have taken any higher risks and we have rested him for some matches and training sessions,” the Palace manager said.
“It wasn’t a big surprise that he could fail. He knew it was possible. When you play two and a half months with a swollen knee, you have to manage that and we all know he has problems with his knee.
“He wasn’t happy, but when you visit three doctors you get three opinions and this is our opinion now.
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Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekor explains why Mateta’s move to AC Milan fell through and how the Crystal Palace striker could respond to this
“I have received opinions from a British doctor, an Italian doctor, a French doctor and a German doctor who I have trusted since my days as a player at Mainz.
“We will see another doctor on Monday and then we will sit together and make a final decision. There are two ways to deal with this problem. One is to manage it until after the World Cup, when he has the dream of playing in the World Cup for France.”
“The other option is for him to undergo surgery. We don’t know (which will be more effective for the World Cup). Surgery could keep him out for two, three or six to nine months.”
Mateta’s move wasn’t the only one to fall through on deadline day, with Dwight McNeil’s proposed move to Palace falling through despite the player passing a medical, with his partner saying the situation was “heartbreaking” for his family.
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Jamie Carragher gives his opinion on striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and whether he can play up front alongside Mateta
But Glasner directly answered a question about whether his forwards could be similarly affected by a failed transfer.
“He has a contract here and you have rights and obligations. I can’t say it’s raining here and sunny in Austria, but when there’s a match I’m going to go skiing for three days, because it might be better over there. I also have obligations,” he said.
“If he doesn’t have the surgery and there are no problems with his knee, he will start training with us and be integrated and will have to fight for his position within the club like everyone else.
“He knows that, but he’s fine with it because JP is a great guy. It takes a few days to deal with the disappointment. Sometimes it’s best not to talk to anyone the next day and leave it alone for a few days, but I’ve talked to him a lot and I’m sure everything will be fine.”
