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Malgré son échec devant un tribunal de la Premier League et la FIFA, l’attaquant français reste un joueur très courtisé sur le marché des transferts.
Le litige contractuel de Jean-Philippe Mateta devant la justice sportive
L’aventure de Jean-Philippe Mateta à Crystal Palace traverse une zone de turbulences. Arrivé en provenance de Mayence pour 11 millions d’euros en janvier 2022 après un initial loan, l’avant-centre de 29 ans a officiellement signé un contrat jusqu’en juin 2026, avec une année supplémentaire en option, en faveur de Crystal Palace. That was activated by Palace in 2024, with Mateta’s contract now due to expire at the end of this season.
Face aux bonnes performances de l’international français, les Eagles ont décidé, dès décembre 2024, d’activer cette option afin de le verrouiller jusqu’en juin 2027. But it is understood the 29-year-old and his representatives have disputed whether that extension was valid and took the case to an independent tribunal under Premier League regulations last season. Official confirmation of the outcome has not been disclosed, although Palace insist Mateta’s contract remains binding and he played in their defeat at Everton on Saturday. Par la suite, Mateta a saisi la FIFA, mais l’instance a estimé en début de semaine qu’elle n’était pas compétente pour trancher concernant ce litige. Mateta’s representative has been approached for comment.
Malgré ces tensions en coulisses, Mateta était d’ailleurs bel et bien titulaire lors de la défaite de son équipe contre Everton (0-2) samedi dans le cadre de la première journée de Premier League. Mateta has been trying to force through a move from Selhurst Park for some time and it is understood he has interest from Aston Villa, who are considering whether to sell Ollie Watkins to the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Les convoitises du marché et la situation de l’effectif
Mateta failed a medical with Milan in January because of a knee problem after the Italian side had agreed a fee of around £30m and spent two months on the sidelines before returning. Sauf surprise, le buteur ne devrait pas avoir l’opportunité de quitter la formation anglaise comme joueur libre dès maintenant, et un transfert reste une possibilité sur la fin de ce mercato d’été, mais le marché semble calme pour Mateta après son deal avorté avec l’AC Milan.
Crystal Palace are expected to resume contract talks with Chris Richards after the World Cup. Richards is heading into the final season of his contract, albeit there is an option for an additional year. Daily Mail Sport understands the parties had constructive negotiations before the World Cup but paused them so that United States international Richards could focus on his home tournament. There is a willingness to agree fresh terms, with the 26-year-old content at Palace having won the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League in the space of 12 months. He joined Palace in 2022 from Bayern Munich and has since made 122 appearances for the Eagles.
He started the United States’ first two matches at the World Cup, beating Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0 before missing the defeat by Turkey. Palace’s back three has been integral to their success over the past two seasons, with Richards playing a key role. Oliver Glasner’s successor this season Pierre Sage also deploys a three-man defence.
What’s happening with Lacroix? Maxence Lacroix is admired by Chelsea, who are assessing four options to improve their defence. The France international, who is open to leaving this summer, still has three years remaining on his contract – allowing Palace to demand top whack for the defender. But Palace sources insist there has yet to be any contact from their London rivals. Palace will ask for more than the £52million that Brighton secured from Tottenham for Jan Paul van Hecke last month. Lacroix is also currently at the World Cup, with runaway favourites France.
Pierre Sage, manager de Crystal Palace
Le technicien Pierre Sage dirige l’équipe après avoir succédé à Oliver Glasner. Le club s’appuie également sur des joueurs comme Maxence Lacroix et Chris Richards dans son organisation défensive à trois éléments.