Pierre Sage has moved to calm the noise around Jean-Philippe Mateta, saying he expects the striker to stay at Crystal Palace despite the contract dispute and outside interest. A Premier League tribunal has already ruled Mateta is bound to honour his contract, while the failed AC Milan move in January and Aston Villa's rejected bid this week have kept his future in the frame.

Sage's view on Mateta

Speaking to standard.co.uk, Sage said: "I speak with him every day and, in front of me, I have a guy that is funny, happy to be here."

He added: "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."

Sage's clearest line was the one that followed: "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. I have no doubt about that."

Mateta started Palace's Premier League opener away at Everton and played 63 minutes. His 5.9 rating in that game was ordinary, which only makes the manager's public confidence more striking than any performance angle from the match itself.

The transfer pressure around Palace

The dispute has not existed in a vacuum. Mateta came close to joining AC Milan in January but failed his medical because of a pre-existing knee injury, and Villa's bid was rejected this week.

Sage also tried to steer the conversation away from the contract issue with one simple line: "He prefers football to his contract. When you love to play, you play. The guy is wonderful."

That stance is hard to ignore, but the situation still has two moving parts. Palace have the tribunal ruling in their favour, and they also have an attacker who has already attracted serious attention this year. Sage is backing the simple reading: Mateta is still part of the group, and he played like it at Everton.

Sarr's injury update

Sage's update was not only about Mateta. Ismaïla Sarr missed the trip to Everton through injury, and Sage said he is in individual training because he is in pain with his groin.

Sarr has made 4 appearances this season and scored 4 goals, which explains why any time missed is noticed quickly. He is training alone for now, and Sage said Palace are waiting for him to come back with the group.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →