Former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison has offered a candid assessment of the turbulence surrounding the club, admitting that Jean-Philippe Mateta’s desire to leave in January has arrived at a deeply unsettling moment for the south London side.
Mateta has informed Palace of his intention to move during the winter window, with Aston Villa and Juventus monitoring the situation closely.
The timing has heightened anxiety at Selhurst Park, coming shortly after confirmation that head coach Oliver Glasner will depart at the end of the season and following Marc Guéhi’s high-profile move to Manchester City.
Although the French striker still has 18 months remaining on his contract, his potential exit threatens to compound an already fragile period.
“The wrong time” for Palace
Speaking to Free Bets, Morrison stressed that Mateta’s stance could not have come at a more delicate point in Palace’s campaign.
“I don’t think it’s the right time given the comments from the manager and Guehi leaving, but he may have his people in his ear and that puts him in a difficult spot,” Morrison said.
“He will still likely get a move in the summer, but he has ambitions of getting in the France World Cup squad and for that he needs to be playing week in week out and if he moves then he may not get those opportunities.”
Morrison also highlighted the risks associated with January transfers, noting that Palace still have objectives to pursue this season.
“January is always a tough time to move for any player, but I still think there’s a great opportunity for him at Palace from now until May, they are still in Europe and have a good shot at going deep in that if they can keep players fit and get into some form,” he added.
Palace’s history of adaptation
Despite the uncertainty, Morrison stopped short of suggesting Palace are facing a crisis. Asked whether the possible loss of both Guéhi and Mateta should alarm supporters, he pointed to the club’s track record of adapting after losing key figures.
“No, I think they’re used to it,” he said, referencing departures such as Michael Olise, Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Morrison praised Palace’s recruitment model, particularly the influence of Dougie Freedman, while acknowledging the challenge of replacing talent so late in the window.
With Mateta valued at around £35 million and less than two weeks remaining, the pressure is on Palace’s hierarchy to act decisively if the striker departs.
