Jean-Philippe Mateta

Executive Summary

Jean-Philippe Mateta is a French centre-forward born on 28 June 1997. He plays for Crystal Palace. The striker is coming off a trophy-laden spell under Oliver Glasner. Palace won the FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2025 and the UEFA Conference League in 2026, with Mateta scoring the winning goal in the final. He made his senior France debut in 2025 and featured in the squad that finished fourth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Playing Style and Key Attributes

Mateta profiles as a target man. He is 192 cm, right-footed, with a reliable first touch. He thrives receiving with his back to goal. Linking midfield to attack is a core part of his job. He brings teammates into play with lay-offs and holds up possession under pressure. Glasner built the Palace attack around those strengths. The team has shown high output in that system, with Palace leading the Premier League in xG after eight games in the 2025-2026 campaign. His movement in the box and ability to finish from close range are consistent.

Career and Recent Context

Mateta joined Crystal Palace on 31 January 2022. He became a regular under Glasner and grew into a focal point. Honours at Selhurst Park include Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season for 2023/24, Palace Player of the Month in April 2024 and January 2025, and Goal of the Season for 2024/25. Before Palace he came through Châteauroux, Lyon, a loan at Le Havre, and Mainz 05. Internationally he represented France at under-19 and under-21 level, played in the Olympic team in Paris 2024 where he finished as third-highest scorer and won silver.

Transfers and Outlook

All-time highest value was 40,000,000 EUR on 12 September 2025. Contract at Crystal Palace runs to 30 June 2027.