Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta reveals Champions League ambition amid transfer speculation | OneFootball

The Frenchman is targeting more European football after making his Conference League debut

Jean-Philippe Mateta has said it’s only natural to want to play Champions League football amid speculation over his Crystal Palace future.

Speaking to French broadcaster RMC Sport, Mateta admitted that he hoped to one day play in the Champions League.

“It’s natural, every ambitious player wants to reach that milestone. Especially when you arrive in the national team and around you, there are only players who play in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies,” Mateta said.

“When you play surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally, you want to reach that milestone

Mateta has enjoyed a strong start to the new season, scoring four goals in 12 appearances in all competitions for Palace, but came in for criticism after squandering a presentable chance as the Eagles’ club-record 19-game unbeaten run ended away at Everton.

France manager Didier Deschamps says Mateta, who won a silver medal with France at the Olympic Games last year, has nothing to prove to him, but implored the Palace striker to take his opportunity to impress ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

“So this is a big moment for him. Let him come with his enthusiasm and his qualities. He knows most of the players because he’s seen (them) in the younger teams too,” Deschamps said.

Mateta will hope to debut for France in World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland this week.