Despite receiving his first call into the France squad, it has been a tough time of late for Jean-Philippe Mateta at Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman has missed more clear-cut chances than any other player in the Premier League so far this season with seven squandered opportunities.
Oliver Glasner has seen his side get away with it more often than not, but this wastefulness cost Crystal Palace on Sunday as Everton came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win.
Didier Deschamps has now sent Jean-Philippe Mateta a message after welcoming him into the France squad.
Didier Deschamps urges Jean-Philippe Mateta to “play as naturally as possible”
Mateta has looked like a man who is overthinking things in front of goal this season, and the France boss has now issued some advice.
The News Shopper quote Deschamps as saying: “He has to do what he knows how to do, which is to play as naturally as possible.
“He has a good habit of scoring goals, whether for his club or with the younger teams and the Olympic team during the Olympic Games.
“So this is a big moment for him. Let him come with his enthusiasm and his qualities. He knows most of the players because he’s seen (them) in the younger teams too. It’s not about winning me over. That’s not how it works. (He has to prove himself) in the team, in training and during matches.”
Mateta can still boast four goals in 12 appearances so far this season – which is not a bad return at all – but a nervousness appears to have crept into his game when it comes to finishing in recent weeks.
France training will surely help Jean-Philippe Mateta
Going away with France could be just what the 28-year-old needs right now.
With Les Bleus, Mateta – who Wayne Rooney loves – will train alongside superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Crystal Palace icon Michael Olise.
Playing with footballers of this immense quality on a daily basis can only be a positive thing for Mateta, where he can learn new skills and raise his own standards before coming back to SE25.
Hopefully, the man born in Sevran returns to Crystal Palace with a new lease of life.
