Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, amidst concerns about how poorly their defense has performed this season. When his contract ends next summer, the England international will be a free agent and is expected to leave Selhurst Park. The Blues are now among several top clubs competing for his signature.
Chelsea are reportedly hoping that their London location will give them an edge in negotiations with the 25-year-old center-back, who can sign a pre-contract with clubs starting January 1. Guehi almost signed with Liverpool on deadline day in September for £35 million, but the deal fell through when Palace couldn’t find a replacement and backed out.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has said that Guehi will not sign a new contract and will leave at the end of the season. The defender has made it clear that he wants to finish the current season with the Eagles before looking into his options in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool and Manchester City are interested, while Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan have all shown varying levels of interest. Chelsea’s ability to offer Champions League football and immediate first-team chances could be the deciding factor in securing the defender’s move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ move for Guehi is a long-term fix for their weak defense. The former Cobham academy player left the Blues for Swansea City and then joined Palace permanently in 2021. He has become one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League. In 2025, he helped Crystal Palace win both the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
Chelsea’s defence problems continue
Chelsea have had problems with their defense all season long. Levi Colwill hurt his ACL in the first training session after the Club World Cup in August. He had successful surgery, but he won’t be able to play for most of the season. Last season, the England international was a key part of Maresca’s system, and his absence has left a big hole.
Problems came to light when Chelsea lost 2-1 to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Benoit Badiashile took the place of Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana, but none of the three have been able to give the Blues consistent protection at the back this season.
Ollie Watkins came off the bench and scored twice in the second half, putting Chelsea’s weak defence in the spotlight and giving Villa their 11th straight win in all competitions. Meanwhile, Maresca has had a hard time choosing a favorite center-back pair all season.
The Italian manager has had to make many changes due to injuries and inconsistent play. This has made it impossible for any defensive partnership to build the chemistry and understanding needed at the highest level.