When Sam Allardyce, the former England manager opens his mouth, you tend to get one thing, a full pint-sized portion of harsh truths, and, every now and then, you end up with a pearl, prompting a question as to whether football clubs are actually listening. His latest hot take? Manchester United should have swooped for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer transfer window. And let’s be honest—he might be onto something.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: A Classic No. 9 in a Fashion Comeback
Big strikers are back in vogue. Forget the silky false nines for a moment—this era is about towering forwards who bulldoze defenses like shopping carts gone rogue. Jean-Philippe Mateta fits that bill. At Crystal Palace, he’s already bagged four goals in ten games this season, proving that old-school target men are not just vintage—they’re practical. United, meanwhile, are left with Benjamin Sesko, who’s as unpredictable as the British weather.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: Allardyce’s Missed Crush
Allardyce even admitted he tried to sign Mateta back when he was at West Brom. Picture Big Sam pacing his office, dreaming of headers and back-post tap-ins, only for Palace to steal the Frenchman away on a two-year loan. Now, Mateta is Palace’s Cup-winning, Europa-qualifying talisman. United could have had him for far less than the £73 million they splashed on Sesko, but apparently, they enjoy spending like a tipsy tourist in a casino.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: According to Sources
According to sources, United did show interest, but for reasons only the football gods know, they looked elsewhere. Instead, they’re watching Sesko misfire while sitting 14th in the league. It’s the equivalent of ignoring a sturdy hatchback that starts every morning and choosing a sports car that spends half its life in the garage.
My Take on Mateta
If I were in charge at Old Trafford, I’d have gone “Bang!” as Allardyce put it. Jean-Philippe Mateta is not only tall and strong–he is patient, battle-hardened, and doing well in the Premier League. The intelligent step is sometimes not the most glamorous, but one that ensures you do not find yourself in the middle of the table sharing a goal with a striker who only hits the net against once in seven matches. United missed the trick, and Palace are laughing all the way to Europe.
As featured on ManUNews.com
