Jean-Philippe Mateta: Potential to Become Premier League’s Top Scorer
Introduction
Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Crystal Palace striker, believes he has the potential to become one of the Premier League’s best goalscorers. Despite a stop-start career at Palace, Mateta is confident in his abilities and dreams of playing for the French national team and in the Champions League. With three goals in his last five matches and impressive finishing skills, Mateta is starting to show his true potential.
A Striker with Instinct
Mateta’s recent form has been marked by his impressive finishing skills. His goal against Nottingham Forest, where he shot into the top corner, and his backheel goal against Luton Town demonstrate his ability to rely on instinct when the opportunity arises. Mateta describes how he quickly analyzes the situation and acts accordingly. His goals are celebrated with his trademark leap and volley of the corner flag, a celebration inspired by his admiration for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Real Mateta Emerges
After three years at Palace, Mateta is finally showcasing his true abilities. He has not experienced a major change in his approach to the game but attributes his improvement to gaining more playing time and confidence. Mateta has started each of the last 14 games, making the most of the opportunity presented by an injury to Odsonne Edouard. Despite the challenges he has faced, Mateta always believed he would be given a chance and is now happy to play game after game.
A Positive Influence in a Difficult Season
Mateta’s uplift in form has been a positive for Crystal Palace in a difficult season. The team has struggled with the loss of key players like Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, and Michael Olise due to injury. However, Mateta remains optimistic and believes that other players have to step up to help the team. Despite Palace’s ambition of a top-half finish being unlikely, Mateta continues to work hard and contribute to the team’s success.
Improvements in Hold-Up Play and Unity
One notable improvement in Mateta’s game this season is his hold-up play. His ability to retain the ball has improved significantly, as shown by his Smarterscout ratings. He attributes this improvement to his hard work and increased playing time. Mateta also emphasizes the importance of unity within the team, highlighting the positive atmosphere in the dressing room. He enjoys being the joker and bringing good vibes to the squad.
Conclusion
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s recent performances have shown his potential to become one of the Premier League’s top scorers. With his impressive finishing skills and improved all-round contribution, Mateta is starting to make a name for himself at Crystal Palace. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains determined and confident in his abilities. As Palace faces a difficult run-in, Mateta hopes to continue contributing to the team’s success and fostering a positive atmosphere within the squad.