EXCLUSIVE: Former England international Chris Waddle believes that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will be able to pick from Europe’s elite clubs when his contract expires in the summer.
Marc Guéhi has been in sensational form for Crystal Palace this season. The England international has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League over the last few years, playing an instrumental role during a trophy-laden spell for the South London club.
After writing his name into the history books by being the first Palace captain to lift major honours in 120 years after Palace won last season’s FA Cup and this season’s Community Shield, it was widely expected that The Eagle was going to fly the nest and join Liverpool this summer, but the move broke down on deadline day as Palace couldn’t secure a replacement for their defensive colossus.
Waddle praises Guehi’s professionalism
Apparently Guehi had gone as far as to record an interview with Liverpool’s in-house media team announcing his transfer, but everything fell through at the last minute, and you could say that despite the Premier League champions splurging north of £450 million this summer, they should have prioritised bringing in the 25-year-old as Arne Slot‘s back line continues to look suspect this season.
Speaking to Essential.Football on behalf of SheKicks, Waddle said of the broken down transfer:
“I think Marc Guehi has handled himself well since the move to Liverpool broke down. I think Crystal Palace are happy for him to stay and run the contract down this year, but it’s a shame too, because they will lose out on a lot of money.
“He’ll have his pick of clubs this summer, or maybe this January. He’s a good defender, he has that Chelsea pedigree.”
European clubs will be desperate to get Guehi
Liverpool’s loss will be the gain of several of Europe’s biggest football clubs. Of course, Slot’s men will still be in the conversation to capture the centre back, but after a free run at him in the summer, they can expect to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and continental giants Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Discussing the options available to him in the summer, Waddle advised the Palace man to sit tight and keep producing the goods for his club.
“All the big clubs will have an eye on him, because he’s consistent, performing well every week. He reads the game very well.
“Given he will be available on a free transfer in the summer, he will have a massive amount of options, and it won’t just be Premier League sides who want him, it’ll be the top European sides too. They will be queuing up to offer an unbelievable contract, so he just has to sit tight and keep playing well.
“The longer he does that and playing for England too, the more he will be worth when the contract offers come in,” Waddle said.
The Essential Football verdict
There’s no doubt that Marc Guehi has established himself as one of the best CBs on the continent over the last few years. He’d be the perfect addition for several clubs, but we suspect that he will turn down the opportunity to play abroad and remain in the Premier League. Liverpool may have bungled the chance to get him, but we wouldn’t rule out a return to Chelsea or possibly a move to Manchester City.