Crystal Palace players should wear AC Milan shirts when they next meet Jean-Philippe Mateta – it’s the perfect way to break the tension.
That’s the view of ex-Premier League striker Charlie Austin, who believes the Frenchman’s failed deadline day switch to the San Siro should be met with classic dressing room banter.
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Mateta has remained at Crystal Palace after seeing his dream transfer fall throughCredit: AFP
The future of Mateta at Selhurst Park was the biggest saga of the winter transfer window after he told club officials he wanted a move away and would not be extending his stay beyond 2027.
Talks took place between the Eagles and Juventus last month, while Nottingham Forest lodged a £35million offer to keep him in England.
But it was the Rossoneri who were the 28-year-old’s dream destination, with talkSPORT telling you of Milan’s first reported interest in December.
As negotiations dragged on in the closing stages of the window, Mateta took to social media on Saturday night to express his frustration towards Palace by posting an angry emoji.
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On Sunday, a £30million package deal had been agreed between Palace and Milan, only for the centre-forward to be left heartbroken 24 hours later.
The Serie A giants pulled the plug on deadline day after club doctors flagged a knee issue during medical checks in Paris.
No other club subsequently came in for the 2024 Olympic silver medallist, leading to Mateta to begrudgingly remain in south London.
And with the striker to return to the training ground with his tail between his legs, former QPR and Southampton star Austin believes the Palace squad can break the tension in the best way possible.
Phil your boots
Austin, who has shared experience with Mateta having failed a medical at Hull in 2013, told talkSPORT there will undoubtedly be a strain between the Palace squad at Mateta.
Appearing on the Sports Breakfast show, Austin was asked by co-host Ally McCoist how humour may play a part in breaking the ice.
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Mateta will have to report back for Palace duty after failing to secure a move awayCredit: Getty
To which he said: “It’ll be a [tough] couple of weeks, it might be a bit of a sore subject this morning, let’s be honest chaps.”
McCoist then interjected, stating that Mateta has to get ‘ripped’ by the squad as soon as he shows his face.
It led Austin to quip: “If anyone’s got anything about them this morning, they’re turning up in an AC Milan shirt.”
Through laughter, McCoist then stated: “I think that’s one of the ways you’ve got to deal with it, a bit of [Luciano] Pavarotti in the background.”
Austin replied: “But that’s football isn’t it? That’s part [of it]… you know when that happens, that is the sign of a good dressing room.
“As much people are hearing us say that, and, ‘Oh that’s out of order,’ no.
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Mateta is on course to be the Eagles’ top scorer for a third consecutive campaign
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Mateta has been forced to stay at Palace for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
“That’s a sign of a good dressing room, good connected dressing room, for me anyway.”
Commenting on how Mateta’s failed move may affect him going forward, Austin said that all the player can do now is focus on his form in his quest to be selected for France’s World Cup squad.
He said: “They are mid-season now, and Crystal Palace as we know, are going to be in a transition from where they are now and it will continue on into the summer because they don’t know who’s going to go in there and be in charge [to replace Oliver Glasner].
“So when he comes back he’ll want to hopefully just start playing and performing.
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“Just because he’s stayed at Palace, his eyes are still on that World Cup squad.”
With Palace signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in a £48m package deal on deadline day, it remains to be seen whether Mateta will be involved in Sunday’s derby clash with Brighton.