Crystal Palace players should wear AC Milan shirts next time they face Jean-Philippe Mateta – it’s the perfect way to break the tension.
That’s the view of former Premier League striker Charlie Austin, who believes the Frenchman’s failed move to San Siro on deadline day should be met with classic dressing room banter.
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Mateta’s future at Selhurst Park was the biggest saga of the winter transfer window after he told club officials he wanted to move away and would not extend his stay beyond 2027.
Talks took place between the Eagles and Juventus last month, while Nottingham Forest made a £35m bid to keep him in England.
But it was the Rossoneri who were the 28-year-old’s dream destination, with The Pitch Prospect reporting Milan’s first reported interest in December.
As negotiations dragged on in the final stages of the window, Mateta took to social media on Saturday evening to express his frustration towards Palace by posting an angry emoji.
On Sunday, Palace and Milan agreed a £30million package deal, but the centre-forward was left heartbroken 24 hours later.
The Serie A giants pulled the plug on deadline day after club doctors diagnosed a knee problem during medical examinations in Paris.
No other clubs subsequently signed up for the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, leading to Mateta reluctantly staying in south London.
And with the striker returning to the training ground with his tail between his legs, former QPR and Southampton star Austin believes the Palace side can ease the tension in the best way possible.
Phil your boots
Austin, who has shared experiences with Mateta after failing a medical at Hull in 2013, told The Pitch Prospect that there will undoubtedly be tensions between the Palace squad over Mateta.
Appearing on the Sports Breakfast show, Austin was asked by co-host Ally McCoist how humor could help break the ice.
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Then he said: “It will be a [tough] It might be a bit of a touchy subject this morning in a few weeks, let’s be honest, folks.”
McCoist then interjected, declaring that Mateta would have to be “torn apart” by the team as soon as he showed his face.
Austin then quipped: “If anyone knows anything about them this morning, they’ll be showing up wearing an AC Milan jersey.”
Amidst laughter, McCoist then explained, “I think that’s one of the ways you have to deal with it, a little bit.” [Luciano] Pavarotti in the background.
Austin replied, “But that’s football, right? That’s part.” [of it]…you know, when that happens, it’s a sign of a good locker room.
“A lot of people hear us say, ‘Oh, that’s not OK,’ no.
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“For me, that’s a sign of a good locker room, a well-connected locker room.”
Commenting on how Mateta’s failed move could affect his future, Austin said the player can now just focus on his form to be included in France’s World Cup squad.
He said: “They’re halfway through the season now and Crystal Palace, as we know, are in a transition period that will last into the summer because they don’t know who’s going to go in there and be in charge.” [to replace Oliver Glasner].
“So hopefully when he comes back he just wants to start playing and performing.”
“Just because he stayed at Palace, his eyes are still on the World Cup squad.”
With Palace signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves on deadline day in a £48m package deal, it remains to be seen whether Mateta will feature in Sunday’s derby clash with Brighton.