Jean-Philippe Mateta experienced a whirlwind game on Saturday as Crystal Palace battled it out with Bournemouth to a thrilling 3-3 draw. The French international shone in the match, delivering a hat-trick that salvaged a crucial point for the Eagles, ultimately landing him a well-deserved spot in the Premier League Team of the Week.
Alan Shearer, responsible for curating the Team of the Week, made a statement about Mateta’s performance that stirred some controversy among Crystal Palace fans. Shearer boldly declared that Mateta was in the “form of his life,” a claim that many supporters likely disagree with.
Despite Mateta’s impressive goal-scoring feat, which included a goal for France in an international match prior to his hat-trick against Bournemouth, some argue that labeling him as being in the peak form of his career is a significant exaggeration. Mateta has faced criticism for missing notable scoring opportunities in the Premier League this season, raising doubts about the accuracy of Shearer’s assessment.
Notably, Mateta has displayed remarkable form in the past under the management of Oliver Glasner, producing exceptional goal-scoring runs in previous seasons. This history of prolific scoring further underlines the contention that Mateta may not be in his best form currently as suggested by Shearer.
Despite the praise for Mateta’s hat-trick heroics, there are calls for Eddie Nketiah to be given a starting role in the upcoming match against AEK Larnaca. Nketiah’s impactful performance off the bench against Bournemouth, alongside Mateta, highlighted his potential to influence matches positively. Fans have highlighted Nketiah’s contributions, including crucial goals against prominent opponents like Dynamo Kyiv and Liverpool, as reasons to grant him a starting opportunity against AEK Larnaca.
The poised partnership between Nketiah and Mateta and the positive impact Nketiah has demonstrated in recent games make a compelling case for his inclusion in the starting lineup. As Crystal Palace aims to secure a crucial victory against AEK Larnaca, the dynamic duo of Nketiah and Mateta could provide the attacking threat needed to secure a vital result.
