ZAHA FUMES AT MATETA OVER ‘NASTY’ PALACE REMARK — FANS SHOCKED BY WAR OF WORDS
Wilfried Zaha launches an angry video response after Jean-Philippe Mateta's interview. Mateta claimed Zaha laughed at his France dreams at Crystal Palace. Zaha denies the "disgusting" and "nasty" claims, insisting he was supportive of his former teammate.
In an angry tirade, Wilfred Zaha has attacked Jean-Philippe Mateta regarding his former Crystal Palace teammate.
Zaha criticized Mateta for providing a "disgusting" and "nasty" interview in which Mateta said Zaha made fun of his desire to play for France.
"At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I was not even playing, I spoke about the France team in the changing room, and I had teammates like Wilfried Zaha who were laughing," Mateta said in an interview with the French newspaper L'Equipe after scoring his first goal for France this week.
"When I was not even playing at Crystal Palace, they said that I was crazy to think about the France team, but I replied that it was my goal and that I just had to play to prove myself."
After two years of playing with Mateta at Palace before joining Galatasaray in 2023, Zaha was incensed by the remarks and responded with a video.
"My brain is burning," Zaha, who currently plays for Charlotte of the MLS, stated.
"I need to resolve this Mateta issue. Since he is unwilling to, he told me he did not want to and that he was fine with it.
"This only demonstrates that the individuals who saw me while I performed for Crystal Palace were obviously unhappy for me.
"Because I never gave somebody a 's***' feeling." Everybody knows who I am. I only take the pitch when I am feeling really enthusiastic and all that. However, I would never intimidate someone or say anything like, "I do not think you will make it here, or you would not make it at all."
"Seeing someone I thought was a friend act in such a way disgusts me.
There were ten players with whom he spoke about his prospects of playing for France back when he was not playing for Palace.
We were making jokes, but as friends, we laughed it off. It will be challenging, particularly with Benzema and all of these players filling those roles.
However, we never once mentioned that you would not succeed.
If this individual had said that I harbored hatred, would you not be shocked? He would speak my name, but why? When ten people were present. Is it because the most well-known name is Zaha?
"It is awful; I do not comprehend." I have never been mean to anyone. I am now receiving texts that say, "Oh, you are not joking about Mateta anymore." Well done to him; I could not be more pleased.
I even openly complimented him on Instagram. It is like, "What the f***?" to hear that narrative.
Did you always think poorly of me? I will utilize Zaha as my coming-up tale for you to come out with this, your come-up narrative.
"Dude, it is horrible. It is unpleasant.
"I do not have any football pals because of this. How is he going to accomplish that, which is why I keep to myself?
CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF
Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.
Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.
His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.
Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.
Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.
Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.
AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.