Crystal Palace Signs Villa Striker Guessand on Loan

Transfer Details

Crystal Palace has successfully secured the services of Evann Guessand from Aston Villa on a loan deal that extends until the end of the season, with a possibility of making the transfer permanent afterwards.

Player Background

The 24-year-old attacker, who represents the Ivory Coast on the international stage, joined Aston Villa from Nice for a substantial fee of £26 million last summer. During his time with Villa, Guessand managed to net two goals across 21 outings in various competitions.

Changes at Villa Park

The addition of Tammy Abraham, who was brought in from Besiktas for £18.25 million, has placed Guessand in a more challenging position, likely relegating him to third choice behind both Abraham and Ollie Watkins in the striker lineup.

Current Situation at Crystal Palace

As it stands, Crystal Palace is positioned 15th in the Premier League standings, maintaining an eight-point buffer from the relegation zone. The club recently transferred England defender Marc Guehi to Manchester City, while forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has expressed a desire to leave the club.

Oliver Glasner, the team manager, mentioned that Mateta is currently “not in the right frame of mind” to participate in the important league match against Nottingham Forest this Sunday.

Guessand’s Ambitions

Despite the challenges, Guessand expressed enthusiasm about joining Crystal Palace, stating that he was thrilled to join a team with substantial talent. “I have been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time, and I’m eager to play alongside my new teammates,” he remarked.

“I believe that with the quality we possess, we can achieve significant things.”

Club Management Comments

Manager Glasner has indicated that the club is actively pursuing further player acquisitions, stating they are working diligently to strengthen the squad.

Chairman Steve Parish praised Guessand as an “exciting prospect,” expressing confidence in his ability to thrive in the Premier League environment. “His arrival enhances our attacking options as we aim to advance in both league and European competitions during the latter part of the season,” he added.

Previous Achievements

Last season, Guessand was honored as Nice’s Player of the Season, having scored 12 goals as the club finished fourth in Ligue 1. His successful performances earned him recognition, making him a valuable addition to Crystal Palace’s roster as they work to improve their league standing.