NO SURGERY: OLIVER GLASNER CONFIRMS MATETA’S KNEE INJURY IS BETTER THAN FIRST FEARED
Jean-Philippe Mateta will not undergo surgery on his knee. Discover why the AC Milan move failed and when he’ll return for Palace.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta won’t need surgery on his troublesome knee, even though that same injury killed his move to AC Milan back in January. The French forward looked all set for a £30 million deadline day switch to Italy, but then his medical exam turned up the problem. Just like that, the deal collapsed.
So, Mateta stays put. He’d been pushing to leave south London, but after all that last-minute drama, he’s still at Selhurst Park. Reports floated around that he might go under the knife to sort things out for good, but after talking to a few more doctors, he’s decided to skip surgery. Instead, he’s been playing through the pain since November, though he’s missed Palace’s last couple of matches.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner spoke ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Burnley and cleared things up. “He doesn’t need surgery. It’s not as bad as we thought,” Glasner said. “A few doctors agreed there are better ways to handle this knee than surgery.” Mateta will miss some time, though. Glasner couldn’t give an exact timeline—could be two weeks, could be four—but he’s staying positive and hopes to have Mateta back soon.
Naturally, the whole thing’s been disappointing for Mateta, especially since he was so close to a fresh start. But now, at least, he’s got answers. He’ll rehab at the training ground, and the club’s medical team is all over it. Glasner stressed that clarity really matters in these situations. “There’s a lot of noise around players sometimes, and it can throw them off. But for now, it’s clear—he’s a Palace player at least until summer, and now he knows exactly what he needs to do.”
If Mateta had gone ahead with surgery, he’d have probably wrecked his chances of making Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the World Cup—or of landing a big summer move, as the failed Milan transfer showed. So, once he’s fit, he’ll be fighting to get back into Palace’s starting eleven and keep his World Cup dream alive. Only now, he’ll be up against the club’s new £48m signing, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
But Mateta’s not ready just yet. Glasner said the striker needs at least another two weeks out before he can even think about full training. “No, he’s not in training. He needs to build up his quads and the muscles around his knee for support. That’s what the doctors recommend—no shortcuts. He’ll be eased back in, always keeping an eye on how the knee’s holding up.”
Lately, some Palace fans have turned on Mateta, chanting against him afterhe attemptss to leave. Glasner hopes that changes. “I hope the fans support every player and the team. Nobody stays forever, but you can expect everyone to give their best when they wear the Eagle, and I know JP will do that again. He deserves the fans’ support.”
Glasner gets it—fans are allowed to be upset. But he’s urging everyone to look forward, not back. “You can dwell on what happened, or you can move on. Maybe people didn’t like how he handled things, but he deserves a second chance. If he gives everything, he’ll get the support. That’s how I see it, and I think our fans will too.”
HOW DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN RECLAIMED HIS ENGLAND SPOT AFTER ELLAND ROAD SUCCESS
Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns his first England call-up since Euro 2020 after scoring 10 goals for Leeds United in 2026.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad feels like a well-earned milestone after his breakthrough season at Elland Road. Scoring 10 goals in 28 Premier League matches this term, he’s become the first Leeds player called up since Kalvin Phillips.
When asked about the national team news in an exclusive chat, Calvert-Lewin’s smile said it all. He admitted he’s still processing the reality of joining the squad again after a long journey to get recognition. “It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “I’m probably not really taking it in yet.”
Tuchel’s 35-player roster marks Calvert-Lewin’s first England call-up since the Euro 2020 squad, where England finished runners-up after that heartbreaking penalty shootout with Italy. The forward shared how Tuchel broke the news during a brief video call the night before the announcement, explaining the plans for the upcoming week and the chance to impress. For Calvert-Lewin, it’s an opportunity he’s eager to seize.
Since moving to Leeds from Everton on a free transfer, he has made an immediate impact. Daniel Farke’s eighth summer signing has already netted 10 goals in 28 appearances for the Whites. December saw him honoured as Premier League Player of the Month after scoring six goals in five games.
Off the pitch, Calvert-Lewin has felt a special kind of support at Elland Road from teammates, staff, and fans. “I can’t say I’ve ever felt love like this,” he said, reflecting on his time in West Yorkshire. The genuine happiness from everyone around him has made a big difference. Still, he remains focused on the club’s goals and is proud that his form has earned a return to the England setup, but he is waiting to see how it feels if he gets to wear the shirt again.
Family plays a crucial role in his story, too. As a father, Calvert-Lewin acknowledges the support from his wife and daughter as key factors in getting back to his best. “I was a million miles away from where I am now not so long ago,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t be in this position without them.”
Looking ahead, Dominic is set to add to his 11 England caps. England’s upcoming fixtures see them face Uruguay on Friday night, followed by a match against Japan on Tuesday, where they might cross paths with Leeds teammate Ao Tanaka. It’s shaping up to be a significant period for him both personally and professionally.
HOW NECO WILLIAMS NAVIGATED FOUR FOREST MANAGERS TO FIND ELITE FORM
Neco Williams reflects on Nottingham Forest’s chaotic season and Europa League success ahead of a Wales World Cup play-off.
Neco Williams didn’t sugarcoat it; Nottingham Forest’s season has been anything but smooth. Beating Tottenham last Sunday gave them a much-needed lift, pushing them up to 16th in the table, three points clear of the drop zone with seven matches left. That win came right after they booked a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals by knocking out FC Midtjylland. Next up, after the international break, they head to Porto for the first leg of their last-eight tie on April 9.
It’s been nonstop for Vitor Pereira’s squad, juggling league matches and European nights. And it hasn’t helped that Pereira is the fourth head coach they’ve hired this season. The players have barely had time to adjust before the next new face arrives with new ideas and strategies.
Williams spoke to the BBC about the constant upheaval. “Every manager has his own way,” he said. “You just have to be ready for the next one and really take on board whatever they bring. Four managers, four styles – you can’t dwell on it. You have to go with it, get used to it, and move forward.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Williams admitted, “We’re not where we want to be. After last season, nobody expected us to end up here.” They’re trying to handle Premier League games, Europa League fixtures, and all those cup ties earlier this year. It’s a lot, but honestly, it’s the price they pay for last season’s success. Still, he wishes they were further up the table.
He pointed out how much their schedule has changed, too. Last season, they’d play a once-a-week game, recovery, training, build-up, then another game. Now? It’s Wednesday, Saturday, Thursday, and Sunday. No real time to recover, no time to dig into tactics or study opponents. Just play, recover, play again – no let-up at all.
Now, with the international break, Williams shifts focus to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Wales play Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff semi-final on Thursday, and if they win, they’ll meet Italy or Northern Ireland for a spot in the finals.
Williams heads into those matches in strong form. He’s been one of Forest’s most consistent players this season. “Honestly, it’s probably one of my best seasons ever,” he said. “I only missed one Premier League game, and that was because I got sent off against Crystal Palace.”
Getting consistent performances hasn’t been easy for him in the past, but he feels he’s finally figured it out. “Especially this season and last, I’ve found that rhythm. I’m not having a great game one week and a bad one the next anymore. It’s steady, and that’s what you need in the Premier League.”
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