The Jean-Philippe Mateta phenomenon can be traced back to a low-key Mainz winter training camp in Marbella.
The Crystal Palace striker is now taking the Premier League by storm. 'Boooooooooom' roar the Selhurst Park faithful when Mateta scores. Eight goals in nine games make Mateta one of the in-form forwards in the country. In the words of Mateta himself: 'Fan-tas-tique!'
The Frenchman is riding the crest of a wave and his success represents a double-edged sword for Palace, considering he is entering the final two years of his contract. But more on Mateta's future in due course — and back to Spain's idyllic south coast.