Former Chelsea striker backs Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta to ‘thrive’ at Stamford Bridge

Former Crystal Palace and Chelsea striker Loic Remy says Jean-Philippe Mateta would thrive at the west Londoners.

The Frenchman has backed his fellow countryman to succeed at Stamford Bridge should the Blues look to secure his services in the summer.

Mateta, 27, scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season in Palace’s 2-1 defeat at home to Everton.

The strike moved him joint level with Christian Benteke in the club’s Premier League all time scoring charts on 35.

Mateta has netted 25 times in the past 12 months in the Premier League.

Chelsea frontman Nicolas Jackson has only scored nine times this season.

Remy played 47 times for Chelsea – scoring 12 goals – and he also joined the Eagles on loan during the 2016-17 season.

But the now 38-year-old saw his Selhurst Park spell hit by injury and only featured eight times.

Speaking with Plejmo.com, Remy said: “I’m not saying that Chelsea should replace Nicolas Jackson with Victor Osimhen, but I think that Osimhen would fit the club perfectly as well as the Premier League.

“I played with Victor for Lille and although I played with many strikers, he was one that refused to give up. He would be perfect in the Premier League because he loves to fight.

“He won’t shy away from the fight and he has the spirit inside himself, he could even compliment Jackson or give him competition, Osimhen would cause some serious damage in the Premier League.

“Jean-Philippe Mateta has the profile to thrive at Chelsea. I saw him playing in the Olympics for the French national side and he impressed me a lot.

“He isn’t the type of player to really impress you technically but he is always there and loves scoring goals. He is so annoying to play against as a defender.

“He has the right profile and is on fire at the moment, I think many clubs are looking for a striker and I think we could see a big transfer for him in the summer.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD