One would expect so, in which case Mateta is running out of time to show PV what he's capable of. Unfortunate that he got Covid when he did. It hasn't helped his cause.

There has been some debate on one of these threads recently about the terms of our loan agreement for Mateta.

For what it's worth, in his latest article on Mateta in the Athletic, Matt Woosnam states that the obligation to buy (for £15m) kicks in after Mateta has made 15 PL starts. make of that what you will.

I was optimistic when he joined with what seemed like a reasonable CV.

But, from what little I've seen so far (friendly highlights) he has been disappointing to say the least. Maybe needs more playing time although a couple of poor first touches and apparent lack of pace don't bode well.

He did score a clever goal at Brighton though.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

For the fee said to be involved Mateta,, , is a bit rough at the edges,
It’s not hard to see the possibilities with him, but from what I see so far, he seems more like someone we took from a league 1 ,or Championship side because we thought he would develop..
At the minute he creates at least as many questions as he gives answers. It is possible .some of his faults can be worked on, many here have realised his control and protection of the ball is still not quiet where it needs to be for the Premie4 league. And it looks like he is to erratic in front of goal to be considered a natural finisher.
At this time the one question he does answer is,the one about whether we need more cover for Benteke, it’s clear we do.

As I posted the other day, on a positive note, he is getting into good positions. However he lacks composure at the crucial moment.

As things stand, I don't see him getting the 15 selections that will trigger the transfer fee, which we could arguably spend elsewhere.

Old, Ungifted and White

Surely this is the better option? Ayew had proven himself a useful, hard working premier league striker with a reasonable goals to games ratio, has mobility and hold up play. Plus he's a hard working but crap winger in my opinion, so it's not like we'd miss him out wide.

Whether it's a bit much for the likes of Banks or Rak-Sahki to fill in wide right only time will tell, but given the arrival of Gallagher it's possible that Schlupp could go out wide.