Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta faces an uncertain future after a knee injury jeopardized his potential move to AC Milan and possibly his World Cup aspirations. Manager Oliver Glasner revealed the club was aware of a pre-existing issue. Mateta now has to choose between managing the injury until the tournament or undergoing surgery.

Mateta's possible surgery could sideline him for up to nine months, dashing his hopes of playing in the World Cup. The club's top scorer with eight league goals, Mateta previously recovered from a meniscus rupture in 2019, which kept him out for six months. A similar recovery period would rule him out.

Despite the setback, Palace signed Jorgen Strand Larsen. They also failed to secure Dwight McNeil from Everton. Glasner admitted disappointment over the failed deals, especially the lack of a Marc Guehi replacement. The club had also offered a substantial bid for a replacement, but other clubs refused to sell.