Jean-Philippe Mateta is currently away from Crystal Palace training with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise.
The man born in Sevran has finally been handed a call into the France squad by Didier Deschamps at the age of 28 – after a remarkable run of 34 goals in 71 games since Oliver Glasner arrived at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta will hopefully learn from the likes of Mbappe while away from south London, but the Crystal Palace No.14 actually believes he is better than the Real Madrid No.10 in four areas.
Jean-Philippe Mateta says he outdoes Kylian Mbappe when it comes to strength, aerial duels, ball retention and instinct
Speaking to RMC Sport after earning his first taste of the senior France squad, Mateta was asked what he feels he can offer in comparison to his rivals for a starting role under Deschamps.
The Crystal Palace talisman replied: “They’re faster, but I’m stronger. I have a striker’s instinct, I protect the ball well, and I’m good in the air.”
Mbappe is only 5ft 10in compared to Mateta, who stands at a towering 6ft 2in – so it makes sense for the France newbie to describe himself as being more effective when it comes to the physical side of being a striker.
Wayne Rooney has even put Mateta on a pedestal with Erling Haaland
If you told any Crystal Palace fan before 2024 began that Mateta – who Deschamps warned – would soon be discussed in the same breath as Mbappe and Erling Haaland, they’d have undoubtedly questioned your sanity.
However, that is exactly where the FA Cup winner now finds himself.
Wayne Rooney recently praised Mateta, calling him the only “proper” striker in the Premier League along with Haaland, despite his occasionally “clumsy” appearance on the eye.
Crystal Palace were ready to sell Mateta at one stage under Roy Hodgson, so it is testament to his professionalism that he knuckled down and became the fearsome forward he is today.
