Glasner may need a centre-back this Januaryplaceholder image
Glasner may need a centre-back this January | Getty Images
Crystal Palace should look within the capital for a solution to their Marc Guehi problem.
Crystal Palace should consider signing an estranged Chelsea player in the January transfer window as they look to add depth to a key position. The Eagles disappointed in the summer window, even though they did manage to bring in the likes of Yeremy Pino, Jaydee Canvot, Christian Uche and Borna Sosa.
But even with those signings, there are questions over whether Palace will be able to maintain a good level of form while also juggling the Conference League, and without the magic touch of Eberechi Eze, who left for Arsenal.
There is also the complicated situation involving Marc Guehi, with Palace needing to heal the wounds of that whole disaster. The defender was set to join Liverpool on deadline day and even had a medical, but he was ultimately told he had to stay after a deal to sign Igor Julio fell through, with the defender choosing to join West Ham due to receiving the promise of more regular football.
Guehi is not going to be a happy bunny, but being the professional he is, he is likely to get back to business, albeit it’s unclear whether the Eagles will get the best out of him given the way the saga played out.
And while Oliver Glasner will be pleased to keep hold of his star defender, there is a business reality to the situation that may require Palace to sell Guehi in January to avoid losing him for free in the summer. A new contract is surely out of the question now that Palace have denied him his move in such a fashion.
Palace should consider Chelsea star
One player Palace should consider to replace Guehi, at least in the short term, is Chelsea star Axel Disasi, who has been cut from Enzo Maresca’s plans. Disasi spent the second part of last season on loan with Aston Villa and was expected to leave this summer, with Newcastle United and Villarreal linked with a move for him.
But a move never materialised, and Disasi has been left in the dark at Cobham, albeit with the Saudi Arabian window still open. The Turkish window has now closed.
Asked about Disasi and Raheem Sterling, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has said: “They are Chelsea players, but at the moment they are training separately and the plan is to continue in this way. Since the season started, I haven't seen either of them. I haven't seen Axel or Raheem. They train at a different time and on a different pitch. I haven't seen them since the start of the season."
Disasi is in Chelsea’s Premier League squad, but Maresca has no intention to use him, and providing he doesn’t leave for Saudi Arabia, it’s likely he will be available in January and for a reasonable price. The 27-year-old once cost Chelsea £37.5million, but they are not going to get anywhere near that money back for him given the current situation.
Disasi is certainly at a higher level than Igor Julio, who Palace tried to sign on deadline day, and even if it’s just a loan to plug the Guehi gap until the summer, providing the England international is sold, it would be a solid and reliable option.
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