DONE DEAL: Jean-Philippe Mateta admits 'Crystal Palace making my dream come true' | OneFootball

DONE DEAL: Jean-Philippe Mateta admits 'Crystal Palace making my dream come true' | OneFootball

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·21 January 2021

DONE DEAL: Jean-Philippe Mateta admits 'Crystal Palace making my dream come true'

Article image:DONE DEAL: Jean-Philippe Mateta admits  'Crystal Palace making my dream come true'

Crystal Palace have signed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta on an 18-month loan from Mainz.

The deal for the Frenchman, who has scored 10 goals this season including seven in the Bundesliga, comes with an option to buy.


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"Playing in the Premier League was my dream when I was a child," the 23-year-old told the Eagles website.

"I spoke with Roy Hodgson on the phone. He spoke French - good French. This manager is a good trainer."

Mateta will give Hodgson another option in attack and the former England manager will hope he can have an impact on a side who have struggled for goals this season.

Christian Benteke has scored three league goals, Jordan Ayew has only one and Michy Batshuayi has not opened his account since re-signing on loan from Chelsea.

The south London side have a number of senior players entering the last few months of their contracts and have already made a space in their squad following Max Meyer's release this month.

He explained the differences between French and German football and how he is approaching the English top-flight:

"Germany is very intense, every time pressing high. In France it's more calm, more technical I think in Germany's it's more intensive – you run a lot.

"I have some friends who play in the Premier League and say it's very intense physically. It's hard but I will see!"

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