The World Cup superstar who could replace Mateta at Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are at the start of an exciting new era, but so far this summer, the Premier League side haven’t spent a dime.

Well, Marco Rose’s side have welcomed Dwight McNeil to the club, with Brennan Johnson heading to Everton in a direct swap. Oliver Glasner tried and failed to sign McNeil in January, but now the Eagles have landed their man, securing a creative outlet after Johnson’s ineffective stint at Selhurst Park.

Palace have also welcomed Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oscar Mingueza on free transfers, while a £21m deal for Union Saint-Gilloise’s Anan Khalaili. The attack-minded right-sider is considered as one of the most exciting talents in Belgium.

It would not be bold to argue that Palace need more in attack, though. That said, Rose has been emboldened by a possible shirt in attitude regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Why Mateta and Crystal Palace could start afresh

Mateta wanted to leave Crystal Palace in January. In fact, the France international would have signed for AC Milan, but for a failed medical which scuppered the move and derailed his campaign.

Mateta has been more than just a mainstay for Crystal Palace. The 29-year-old helped define the title-winning Glasner era, duly rewarded for his clinical and powerful attacking performances with titles in the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League.

However, he did dip before his January transfer window fiasco. The experienced striker did not enjoy his sharpest season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals but also missing 20 big chances.

The Eagles persuasion have faith that Mateta will stick around for the campaign ahead. He has grown into “one of the best strikers in the Premier League“, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, and could add a dimension over the coming year.

However, Rose needs more, and chairman Steve Parish appears to have set his sights on a striker who could succeed Mateta in the long run.

Crystal Palace pursuing move for their next Mateta

Mateta’s experience and goalscoring knowledge in the Premier League could be crucial as the Rose era gets underway, especially with Jorgen Strand Larsen having only scored three times in the league since his cross-division switch to Selhurst Park.

Another option wouldn’t go amiss, and according to Tutto Juve in Italy, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Juventus striker Jonathan David before the end of the transfer window. Aston Villa have also joined the race for the Canadian frontman this week.

David, 26 years old, left LOSC Lille and signed for Juve on a free transfer last year, but his reputation as “one of the best strikers in Europe” in the words of former teammate Aissa Mandi, has taken a hit over the past season, only scoring six times in Serie A, also assisting four goals across 35 matches (20 starts).

Still, the Canadian has proved his capacity as an “insane” striker in the past, according to journalist Antonio Mango, not only a deadly shooter, but a smart and shrewd forward, endowed with pace and physicality that will open doors in the Premier League. He is also excellent on the ball, capable of slick interplay with teammates and more than proven he’s still one of the best around by netting three goals in five games at the World Cup.

David and Mateta are not quite cut from the same cloth, but they have both seen hits to their respective reputations over the past year, hitherto regarded as first-class strikers in Europe.

After all, say what you want about the French football scene, but it’s incredibly impressive that David scored 109 goals and supplied 31 assists across only 232 matches for Lille, attracting interest from all over across his five years at the club.

This would be a real statement of intent from Crystal Palace. David is the real deal, and a move to the Premier League could help reignite his career and remind everyone that he has the ability to score dozens of goals at the highest level.

Mateta could help ease him into life in south London, but the rangy forward has the skillset to effectively replace the veteran down the line.