AliousAston Villa are rumored to be interested in signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to bolster their attacking options this summer.
Former player and pundit Alan Hutton believes this move could make sense, especially if Villa’s current forward Jhon Duran departs.
However, Hutton notes that Mateta would likely command a significant transfer fee, given his strong recent form and potential departures of other key Palace players.
Hutton praises Mateta’s performances last season and at the Olympics, calling him a “big target” who would be a “great addition” to Villa’s squad.
The main concern Hutton raises is whether Mateta would accept a backup role behind Villa’s current first-choice striker Ollie Watkins.
Mateta had an impressive 2022-23 season at Crystal Palace, scoring 19 goals and providing 5 assists across all competitions.
His Premier League statistics show he averaged 1.3 shots, 0.9 key passes, and 0.7 dribbles per 90 minutes, though his passing accuracy in the opponent’s half was a modest 73.8%.At 27, Mateta is entering his prime years and could provide Villa with additional firepower up front.
He has shown good finishing ability, movement, and dribbling skills, though his link-up play could use some improvement.
Overall, signing Mateta could be a smart move for Villa manager Unai Emery, potentially creating healthy competition with Watkins or even forming a strong partnership with him in attack.
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