Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage says he expects Jean-Philippe Mateta to stay at the club through the end of the transfer window despite the striker’s ongoing contract dispute.
Mateta and his legal team argued that a one-year contract extension triggered by Crystal Palace in 2024 is invalid, which would have made him a free agent.
A Premier League tribunal and FIFA both ruled that the player remains bound to honour his contract with the Eagles through June 2027.
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Reacting to the development, Sage in a chat with the club’s website stated that he does not expect Mateta to leave the club.
‘I speak with him every day and, in front of me, I have a guy that is funny, happy to be here,’ Sage said. ‘He gives his best in every session. I didn’t see a player who has a problem with the club or with us, that’s why he played the last game as a starter.
‘You imagine if we had a problem with him, he would not play as a starter. Now it is just a problem that will be resolved. It is maybe (the problem) with the man but not with the player, if you want.
‘I think he (Mateta) will stay and, like I told you, he has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and prepared to be here all season. That’s why I understand your question, but I have no doubt about that. He prefers football to his contract. When you love to…
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Read Full Article by Austin Akhilomen at www.completesports.com
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