Marc Guehi’s Unexpected Stay at Crystal Palace
One of the most unexpected developments during this summer’s transfer window was that Marc Guehi, the captain of Crystal Palace, remained with the club.
The 25-year-old defender was believed to have reached an agreement to join Liverpool; however, the Eagles were unable to secure a suitable replacement, leading manager Oliver Glasner to block the transfer.
Guehi Sets a Positive Example
In light of the recent events, Guehi has maintained a professional demeanor, focusing on his responsibilities without causing a stir in the media.
His contributions, along with those of his teammates, have been significant this season.
After achieving their first-ever FA Cup win at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, they began this season with a victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield, triumphing in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Although they recently faced a setback, losing to Everton due to a last-minute goal by Jack Grealish, Palace had an impressive unbeaten streak that included their initial European match against Dynamo Kyiv in the Conference League. Guehi’s outstanding defensive performances and leadership have played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Bayern Munich Expresses Interest
Given that Crystal Palace has lost notable talents like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in recent seasons, their strong start this year is all the more commendable.
However, reports indicate that Guehi may attract further interest in the upcoming transfer windows, particularly with Bayern Munich now in the mix. With Olise already at Bayern, a move for Guehi could be more feasible.
The Bavarian club’s interest in Guehi stems from his pivotal role in making Palace a tough opponent.
Consistent and Error-Free Performance
Only Premier League leaders Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than Palace’s five this season, with three of their seven league games resulting in clean sheets.
Guehi has made 15 tackles in the league, successfully completing 11, which translates to a commendable success rate of 73.3%.
He has already registered 22 headed clearances—half of his total for the entire previous season—demonstrating significant improvement in this aspect of his game.
Notably, Guehi’s ability to perform without errors is impressive; in the last four seasons, he has committed just two errors leading to goals in 125 appearances.
Exceptional Passing Ability
In addition to his defensive skills, Guehi shows remarkable aptitude in disrupting opposing plays, having made 655 interceptions in the last four seasons.
His passing accuracy remains high, with an average completion rate of 79% since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Overall, Guehi’s passing—both long and short—has been phenomenal, routinely exceeding the mid-80s to mid-90s percentage range, marking him as a standout central defender in modern football.
The Challenge of Replacement
Replacing a player of Guehi’s caliber will undoubtedly present challenges, likely more so than the departures of Olise and Eze. Quality center-backs like Guehi are scarce.
For Guehi, the pressing question remains about his future should he feel unfulfilled at Crystal Palace.
It’s evident he has numerous potential suitors both domestically and internationally, and moving abroad is no longer seen as a deterrent for national team selection, as seen with players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
For the time being, Palace can count on their captain’s exceptional skills and leadership, ensuring that he will enhance any team fortunate enough to secure his transfer.
