Jean-Philippe Mateta
28-Year-Old
Crystal Palace
Premier
OUT
Injury Knee
Est. Return 3/5/2026
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Mateta got off to a slow start in his first full season under Oliver Glasner, and then he caught fire for a few months before finishing slow after busting his nose in March. Along with Crystal Palace as a whole, he tended to score his 14 goals in bunches, including three braces last season. Mateta isn't likely to push any of the elite strikers in the Premier League or top 20 goals, but with a strong attack built around him he should be a solid option for double-digit goals once more. No matter what happens in the squad around him, Mateta's role is as a true No. 9 who can score in a variety of ways.
Still out 2-3 weeks
Mateta (knee) remains unavailable after coach Oliver Glasner gave an update on his situation in Wednesday's press conference. "We hope to have back in the next two or three weeks."
ANALYSIS
Mateta avoided surgery after sustaining a serious knee injury in January, and he's currently expected to return during the current season, though he'll miss at least the upcoming fixtures versus Wolverhampton and Manchester United. The striker remains his team's scoring leader with eight goals in the 2025/26 EPL season, and losing him has limited their attacking potential. However, winter signing Jorgen Strand Larsen is in decent form and should be the main beneficiary of playing time while Mateta is inactive.
Mateta avoided surgery after sustaining a serious knee injury in January, and he's currently expected to return during the current season, though he'll miss at least the upcoming fixtures versus Wolverhampton and Manchester United. The striker remains his team's scoring leader with eight goals in the 2025/26 EPL season, and losing him has limited their attacking potential. However, winter signing Jorgen Strand Larsen is in decent form and should be the main beneficiary of playing time while Mateta is inactive.
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More Fantasy News
Avoids surgery, few more weeks out
Mateta (knee) has avoided surgery and will look to return within the next two to four weeks, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "Fortunately, he doesn't need surgery [on his knee]. The injury is not as bad as feared, and so we think - and the opinion from several specialists and doctors - is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery. He will miss a certain time - I can't say two weeks, three weeks or four weeks - but he doesn't need surgery, that's very positive, so hopefully he's back soon. Of course, it's a disappointment, but now he's looking forward to the next months, and it's good for him that a final decision has been taken."
ANALYSIS
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Won't play in coming week
Mateta (knee) will not play the next week as the club makes a final decision on how to manage his knee, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "He won't play on Sunday at Brighton, and he won't play against Burnley. We want now a final decision how to manage his knee, what we have to do, what we should do. As everybody can imagine, it's a tricky situation for everyone - for him, for everyone at the club - but at the end, if the decision will be taken that we manage his knee until the end of the season, he will be back in the squad. If he doesn't undergo surgery and the knee is okay, he will start training with us and he will get integrated, and then he has to fight for his position like everyone else, but this is what he knows and he's fine with it."
ANALYSIS
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Surgery decision to come soon
Mateta (knee) is set to decide on knee surgery soon, according to Fabrizio Romano.
ANALYSIS
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Knee injury leads to failed transfer
Mateta failed a medical with AC Milan due to a knee injury and could potentially receive surgery, according to Sacha Tavolieri.
ANALYSIS
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Won't play Sunday
Mateta is not going to be in the squad to face Nottingham Forest, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "We will talk about things we can confirm. I can confirm JP will not be in the matchday squad, but it is nothing to do right now with the transfers. He is not in the place. To play makes no sense. We have to protect the team and I have to protect him. That is why he will not travel with us to Nottingham."
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
To leave for minimal fee?
Crystal Palace will reduce their asking price to allow Mateta to leave the club in the summer, according to BBC Transfer Talk.
ANALYSIS
Crystal Palace had been asking for around $35 million to part ways with Mateta, but the Frenchman's injury issues and off-the-pitch behavior will likely reduce that transfer fee. Mateta is expected to leave Selhurst Park in the summer, with Manchester United showing interest in the 28-year-old if he becomes available.
Crystal Palace had been asking for around $35 million to part ways with Mateta, but the Frenchman's injury issues and off-the-pitch behavior will likely reduce that transfer fee. Mateta is expected to leave Selhurst Park in the summer, with Manchester United showing interest in the 28-year-old if he becomes available.