AliousCrystal Palace’s start to the 2024/25 Premier League season has been far from ideal, with the team struggling to find their footing in the opening fixtures. After three games, the Eagles have managed to secure only a single point, coming from a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Their other two matches resulted in disappointing defeats: a 2-1 loss to Brentford in the season opener and a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham United.
As the international break provides a brief respite, Palace finds themselves in a precarious position, desperately seeking their first win of the campaign. Their next fixture against newly-promoted Leicester City, who are also struggling with just one point from their first three games, presents a crucial opportunity for Palace to kickstart their season.
In an effort to bolster their attacking options and address their goalscoring woes, Crystal Palace made a significant move in the transfer market by signing Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal.
The deal, confirmed by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, saw Palace pay a substantial fee of £25 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. This transfer marked the end of a protracted saga and signaled Palace’s intent to strengthen their forward line.
Nketiah, at 25 years old, made the decision to leave Arsenal in search of regular first-team football. At his former club, he found himself playing second fiddle to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, limiting his opportunities to showcase his talents. Despite making 37 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal last season, Nketiah’s impact was limited, with just six goals and three assists to his name in 1,393 minutes of play.
The arrival of Nketiah at Selhurst Park has naturally led to comparisons with Palace’s existing striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman, who has been described as “extraordinary” by football analyst Rory Smith, had an impressive 2023/24 season. Mateta featured in 39 games across all competitions, netting 19 goals and providing five assists in 2,574 minutes of action. These statistics suggest that Mateta was significantly more productive than Nketiah last season.
Mateta’s value to Crystal Palace is evident not just in his on-field performances but also in his market valuation. Despite Transfermarkt estimating his worth at around £17 million, reports from Spain suggest that Palace would not entertain offers below £42 million for the French striker. Considering Palace acquired Mateta for just £9 million, this represents a remarkable increase in value and astute business by the club.
When comparing the two strikers based on last season’s performance metrics, some interesting contrasts emerge. Mateta demonstrated superior efficiency in front of goal, boasting an impressive 0.34 goals per shot ratio, compared to Nketiah’s 0.12. This efficiency is particularly noteworthy given that Mateta took nearly half as many shots as Nketiah.
Nketiah, however, proves to be a higher volume shooter, attempting 3.14 shots per 90 minutes. Yet, his accuracy leaves room for improvement, with only 0.96 shots on target per 90 minutes. In contrast, Mateta’s shooting, while less frequent at 1.75 shots per 90 minutes, is more precise, resulting in 1.05 shots on target per 90 minutes.
The physical differences between the two strikers contribute to their contrasting playing styles. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Nketiah’s smaller stature and more slender build grant him greater agility and ball control in tight spaces. This is reflected in his superior statistics for touches in the opposition box (6.79 per 90 minutes) and progressive carries (1.94 per 90 minutes), compared to Mateta’s 1.14.
Mateta, at 6 feet 3 inches, embodies a more traditional center-forward role. His physical presence allows him to dominate defenders, excel in aerial duels (winning 1.97 per 90 minutes), and focus his efforts inside the penalty area. This style has proven highly effective, as evidenced by his goal-scoring record over the past year.
The acquisition of Nketiah, while expensive, provides Palace with a different type of attacking option. His ability to operate in tight spaces and carry the ball progressively could complement Mateta’s more direct, physical approach. This diversity in attacking options could prove crucial as Palace aims to climb the Premier League table and avoid another relegation battle.
However, the statistics suggest that Mateta remains the more clinical and effective striker based on recent performances. His ability to convert chances efficiently and contribute consistently to the team’s goalscoring efforts makes him an invaluable asset to Crystal Palace.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how manager Oliver Glasner integrates Nketiah into the team and whether he can form an effective partnership with Mateta. The success of this striking duo could well determine Palace’s fortunes in the 2024/25 campaign.
In conclusion, while the signing of Nketiah demonstrates Palace’s ambition and willingness to invest in talent, the club already possesses a highly effective striker in Mateta. The challenge now lies in finding the right balance and system to maximize the potential of both players, turning Crystal Palace’s attacking prowess into much-needed Premier League points.
Alious
