Jean-Philippe Mateta’s unusual press conference with Les Bleus | OneFootball

Jean-Philippe Mateta delivered an unusually terse media appearance before Les Bleus’ first public session in Waltham on Friday.

L'Équipe reports that the Crystal Palace striker took questions for 14 minutes, fielding around 20 in all, with replies of roughly 10 words before nearly 80 journalists. The tone was interpreted variously as laid-back, disinterested or a sign of discomfort and tension about getting things wrong.

Takeaways were limited. Mateta is not especially expansive, and the squad are unconcerned by the 34-degree heat, expecting to acclimatise with training already feeling easier by the second session.

He said he had not feared missing the World Cup despite an aborted January move to AC Milan. Once he knew his return date, he felt he would have a chance and took it, adding that January was a difficult period but ultimately turned out fine.

There were few memorable lines. He noted he has never played alongside so much talent and is simply enjoying it. On former Crystal Palace team-mate Michael Olise, he kept it brief, describing him as a good person he has known since 19, and summed up his own personality as someone who likes to laugh, which he considers important, said quite seriously.

Source: L'Équipe