‘I’m really pleased’ – Crystal Palace boss on Jean-Philippe Mateta earning first France call-up
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says he is ‘really pleased’ for Jean-Philippe Mateta after the striker received his first senior France call-up.
The 28-year-old’s selection was confirmed shortly before Palace’s Europa Conference League victory over Dynamo Kyiv.
Mateta, who was born in Sevran, Seine-Saint-Denis, to a Congolese father and a French mother, has long harboured ambitions of representing Les Bleus.
He previously featured for France at Under-21 level and starred for Thierry Henry’s Olympic squad in Paris last summer, scoring five goals in six matches as they claimed silver.
Until now, however, he had never been rewarded with a senior cap under Didier Deschamps.
Glasner revealed that the forward’s determination to break into the national team had been a subject of discussion during pre-season.
“It’s fully deserved. We’re very pleased. We got the information just before we left for the stadium. I’m really delighted for him,” Glasner said.
“I know he wanted this, we had a long chat in Austria at the training camp about the national team, so I’m really pleased for him that he is called up by France.”
Mateta’s selection comes amid strong form at club level. He has scored four times in 10 games across all competitions this season, helping Palace remain unbeaten in the Premier League, where they sit third in the table.
Last term, he netted 17 goals for the south London side, while his overall tally stands at 32 league goals since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
The forward has benefited from injuries elsewhere in Deschamps’ attacking pool.
Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, and Desire Doue are both sidelined, creating opportunities for Mateta and recalled AC Milan striker Christopher Nkunku.
