Jean-Philippe Mateta: The Most Underrated Striker

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It’s time we start putting some serious respect on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s name. The guy has been quietly putting in work and proving he’s more than just a squad player — he’s a genuine difference-maker.

Yesterday Jean-Philippe Mateta delivered a match-winning performance for Crystal Palace in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Entering the match as a substitute in the 80th minute, Mateta made an immediate impact by scoring a brilliant chipped goal over Arsenal goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by William Saliba .

Despite playing for only 10 minutes, Mateta was named man of the match, with his goal described as one of the best of his career. This late equalizer not only secured a point for Palace but also enabled Liverpool’s potential Premier League title win closer, leaving them needing just one point from their remaining matches to clinch the title .

Mateta’s performance highlighted his clinical finishing and ability to make an impact in crucial moments, reinforcing his importance to Crystal Palace’s attacking setup.

Whether it’s his sharp positioning, clever movement, or his ability to finish with both feet, Mateta has shown time and again that he can change games. He’s got a striker’s instinct and a physical presence that defenders genuinely struggle with.

And yet… he rarely gets the recognition he deserves.

While others grab headlines, Mateta’s been grinding, improving, and stepping up when it matters most. The recent run of form should silence any doubts about his quality he’s not just in form; he’s evolving into a complete striker.

More people need to be talking about him. Not just Palace fans, but all soccer fans around the word, especially the premier league

Mark my words, if he keeps this up, the “underrated” label won’t stick around much longer.