Jean-Philippe Mateta told Palace TV that his job is to “kick the most corner flags” after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with Crystal Palace.
The French forward has committed his service to Palace until June 2026 after netting three goals in club colours – two of which came against Brighton and Millwall.
Looking back on his time in south London, Mateta said: “Here, my favourite moment? I have a lot, but one is my first goal at Brighton – but without fans.
“My favourite [corner flag]? Millwall.
“My ambition is to help the team win the game and to score also – I’m a striker, my job is to score and to kick the most corner flags.”
But Mateta has had to fight for his time on the pitch since moving to SE25, proving his ability in key games and earning the trust of manager Patrick Vieira.
He praised those who have helped him at Palace, and commented on his time battling for a place: “I want to say thank you to the gaffer [Patrick Vieira], he trusted in me. And [thank you to] Dougie [Freedman], the Chairman [Steve Parish] and the team and the fans also, and my family.
“To stay on the bench, to look at the team, to do nothing – don’t play. I worked hard and I knew if I came and the gaffer gave me a chance I would get this chance and I will score and we’ll win and I knew I would stay on the pitch – hopefully for long.”
Now however the forward has secured over four years at the club, and explained what the atmosphere is like currently:
“[Training is] very intense. A lot of intensity.
“I like the fans, I like how we play on the pitch and I like the players… Everyone’s good friends. Me also I’m good friends with the team. We joke a lot; it’s fun.”
