Pierre Sage, welcome to the Premier League and the fine margins that can swing a game.
Looking down at the French football manager in the second half, he was rubbing his chin with his hand after making a couple of substitutions to try to rescue something from a game that started so brightly for Crystal Palace.
He's the new man in charge, but he has an old problem to solve. How to get his team to finish off the many chances they create. They were on top early on. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah and Daniel Munoz all had more than decent chances that could have easily found the net. But once Everton exerted control then the chances disappeared.
The second half saw Palace offer very little threat and Sage said "we gave up a little". They were missing the quality of their top scorer last season, Ismaila Sarr, who didn't travel amid the links with a move to Galatasaray. With the loss of Maxence Lacroix in defence, it could be a tricky debut season for Sage if more signings don't arrive before the deadline.

#second #little

Aston Villa's search for attacking reinforcement appears to be gathering pace, with Jean-Philippe Mateta emerging as a name of genuine interest as the summer window moves into a decisive phase. Credit to Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail, who has reported that Villa have made an enquiry for the Crystal Palace striker, though there has been no formal offer at this stage.
The timing is significant. Villa's need for clarity in the centre-forward position has become more pressing amid continuing uncertainty around Ollie Watkins. Saudi Arabian interest has created an obvious layer of doubt, and Unai Emery has been notably open in discussing the situation. As he put it, "We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him. I don't want to sell him but it can change because if it's a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving.
"With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him. Now he is our player, there are 10 days more or less to finish the transfer window, we will see what happens, I'm happy with him, if he is staying with us he will continue playing his level. If he leaving it's because it is good for three ways, one is him, another is the club and another is the team."
Photo IMAGO
Mateta fits the description of a striker who could offer Premier League-ready output without needing a long adaptation period. Last season, he made 32 league appearances and scored 12 goals, while also posting strong numbers in the air and providing a consistent physical reference point. He can occupy centre-backs, compete directly, and still threaten ****** e beyond the line, a combination Villa would value if they are reshaping the balance of Emery's front line.

#mateta #villa #league #offer

Aston Villa enquired about Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this week, according to the Daily Mail.
The Villains are searching for attacking reinforcement with Ollie Watkins angling for a move away from the Birmingham-based club.
Mateta is on the Villa shortlist after earmarking himself as a capable scorer in the English top flight. He bagged 12 goals in the Premier League last season in 32 appearances.
The France international (seven caps, two goals) played a key role as his side won the Europa Conference League, scoring in the final.
Unai Emery could use another experienced, lethal forward in his line-up as Aston Villa prepare for a demanding season domestically and in Europe.

#villa #aston #league #season

Manchester United are reportedly tracking Ivan Toney and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who could become options should Joshua Zirkzee leave.
Although we're less than two weeks away from the end of the summer transfer window, Zirkzee's future remains unclear.
The Dutchman is considering a mere back-up for Benjamin Sesko, and even with the Slovenian's absence, Michael Carrick could still opt to deploy either Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo in the striker role.
For the past 18 months or so, Zirkzee has been linked with a return to Italian football. Last January, Roma were close to signing the 25-year-old, but in recent weeks, Juventus emerged as the player's most likely destination, which isn't a total coincidence, given how former Roma director Ricky Massara moved to Turin earlier this summer.
Moreover, Napoli are said to be considered a late-summer target for Zirkzee after selling Romelu Lukaku. This would reunite the former Bologna star with fellow Man Utd struggler Rasmus Hojlund, who managed to revive his career in Southern Italy.

#united #jean

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly admire Real Madrid attacker Endrick and there is a deal to be done for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club are looking to bolster their attacking ranks this summer, and they have been linked with several players so far. Spurs also have a chance to sign AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun and Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze. The representatives of the American have offered him to the Lilywhites, but it is unknown if the club have plans to go ahead with a deal.
Endrick is on their radar and the Brazilian has been linked with a loan move to Aston Villa. However, it appears he will be spending the season with Madrid with Los Blancos new manager Jose Mourinho keen on holding on to him. Mateta is another option Spurs could consider, with the France international open to leaving Palace. The 29-year-old was at the World Cup with his country, making three appearances. His recent form has attracted suitors, with 42 Premier League goals to his name in the last three terms.
He ended last season with 16 goals and three ***** ists in 50 games, and Tottenham could do with his experience and quality. Dominic Solanke is currently struggling with his fitness and Roberto De Zerbi needs quality striking options to boost his side's chances of finishing in the top-five in the Premier League.

#TOTTENHAM #endrick #premier

The nation of France can relax. Kylian Mbappe is fine.
After Mbappe scored his eighth goal of this World Cup and the 20th of his tournament career Thursday, he departed early from France's 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco but insisted that he will be ready for next week's semifinal.
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"I have a minor ankle injury, but I'm completely fine," Mbappe said shortly after the final whistle sealed France's third consecutive semifinal appearance. "(Jean-Philippe) Mateta was in a better position to play the remaining minutes of the match and was fitter at that moment. That's all that happened."
Mbappe left in the 77th minute under his own power, waving with two arms to the crowd in a familiar manner. Only 17 minutes earlier, the 27-year-old superstar scored to keep pace with Argentina's Lionel Messi once again.

France’s 2–0 win over Morocco did not come without a moment of concern. When a place in the semifinals already seemed secured in the 77th minute, Kylian Mbappé had to leave the pitch early.
A few minutes later, TV cameras showed him sitting on the bench with his ankle bandaged. The first rumors quickly spread online: Had the superstar perhaps suffered a more serious injury?
That does not appear to be the case. France coach Didier Deschamps offered initial reassurance in an interview right after the final whistle. “He felt slight pain in his ankle, but that is normal when the matches come thick and fast. It’s nothing serious,” explained the 1998 World Cup winner.
Mbappé himself was also able to reassure his fans. “I’m fine, I knocked my ankle, but everything is okay. At that point, Mateta was in better shape than I was to play out the rest of the match,” he said.
So the 27-year-old will be back on the pitch in the semifinal. Whether France will face Spain or Belgium there will be decided on Friday evening (9 p.m.).

Kylian Mbappe was substituted as a precaution in France’s 2-0 World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco on Thursday.
France captain Mbappe, who is now level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race with eight goals, scored a stunning opening goal in the second-half having missed a first-half penalty in Boston.
Yet shortly afterwards, Morocco defender Issa Diop sliced through the France forward, receiving a yellow card as Mbappe reacted in pain.
France boss Didier Deschamps was taking no chances as Les Bleus went 2-0 up through Ousmane Dembele, with Mbappe making way for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 78th minute.
Mbappe had ice strapped to his ankle on the substitutes bench but did not look overly concerned, with five days until France’s semi-final against Spain or Belgium.

With his imposing physique and towering height of 1.93 metres, Jean-Philippe Mateta (28) is not the sort to go unnoticed on the pitch. A striker often labelled as 'old-school', which sets the tone in a modern game of football increasingly focused on excessive intensity. To make his mark, the Crystal Palace player has therefore had to adapt.
Which he has managed to do perfectly, revealing a far more well-rounded profile than the mere 'fixed point' that some people imagine players of his type to be. In an interview with L'Équipe, Mateta revealed how he worked to develop the mobility and pace that have now enabled him to become a leading Premier League striker, whilst brushing aside the preconceptions **** ociated with his physique.
"We have to adapt to what football has become. The first player I saw doing that was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He's tall, agile, and he draws everyone in," explains the former Olympique Lyonnais player. "I also watch what (Victor) Wembanyama does in basketball because he's very tall (2.24 m). I do a lot of exercises to work on that agility, such as stretching, core training and yoga. It's also important for us to work on our backs."
It's been a long-term endeavour, but one that finally paid off for Mateta this summer when he was named among the 26-man squad selected by Didier Deschamps for the World Cup. The very definition of giving yourself the means to achieve your ambitions.
GFFN | Léo Aschi

Dusan Vlahovic will leave Juventus as a free agent in less than a month, and the Bianconeri have already begun talks to sign a replacement, from Alexander Sorloth to Jean-Philippe Mateta and Randal Kolo Muani.
Juventus will need at least one new centre-forward in 2026-27, as their star striker Vlahovic has decided against signing a new deal at the Allianz Stadium, leaving the club as a free agent on June 30.
There are mixed reports on who the Bianconeri’s priority is.
Sky Sport is suggesting that Atletico Madrid’s Sorloth has become their primary target after a recent meeting with his agents, while Gazzetta reports that Kolo Muani is the top name for the Old Lady.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park on December 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Jean-Philippe Mateta shared a special moment with his mother after winning the FA Cup