Jean-Philippe Mateta Discusses Future Aspirations Amidst Champions League Speculation

Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has shared his thoughts on the possibility of joining a club that competes in the Champions League.

Key Contributions to Crystal Palace

The 28-year-old played a significant role in helping Crystal Palace secure the FA Cup last season, where they triumphed over Manchester City in the finals. With 36 goals across the last two seasons, Mateta has been instrumental in the team’s achievements, yet he has hinted at the possibility of a future transfer.

Ambitions for an Elite Move

In a recent interview with RMC Sport, Mateta was asked if he would be interested in elevating his career by joining a team that offers Champions League football. He remarked:

“That is natural. Every ambitious player wants to make that step, especially when you arrive in the national team and around you there are only players who are playing in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies.”

“When you are surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally, you want to make that step.”

Transfer Speculations and Current Form

This past summer, clubs such as Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester United had reportedly expressed interest in Mateta, which could offer him better opportunities for European competitions. So far this season, he has netted four goals for Palace, which aims to enhance its trophy collection.

Club’s Determination for Success

Mateta acknowledged the club’s aspirations, emphasizing that they are not content with mediocrity. He stated:

“I think that we have a good squad and an excellent manager who is doing a really good job. We try to implement everything that the manager wants.”

“We don’t just want to play like we did in recent years. I think that we have already progressed in these last two seasons, and so I think that this year, we will be even more ambitious.”