Marc Guehi looks set to join Manchester City after agreeing a £20 million deal, but it could have been Chelsea last year.
Enzo Maresca was relieved of his managerial duties at Chelsea at the start of January after coming to a mutual agreement with the club.
This didn’t please too many supporters, who let their feelings be known during the Fulham clash, as Behdad Eghbali was the subject of many chants.
Liam Rosenior has now taken Enzo Maresca‘s place, and whilst the mood around the club has lifted, fans are still skeptical after the 3-2 loss to Arsenal.
Nonetheless, the loss has accelerated plans in what will be a big month for the new Chelsea boss, with an addition required at the heart of the defence.
QUESTION: Who is out there that fits the description for Chelsea?👀
An experienced centre-back…
Jamie Redknapp on Chelsea needing a centre-back
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Enzo Maresca turned down the chance to sign Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi is another one that slipped away from Chelsea‘s grasp, both in a transfer sense and a former player sense.
But it could have been so different, had Enzo Maresca not shared his opinion.
According to Simon Phillips, the former Chelsea boss was unconvinced that he could fill the central centre-back role when the Blues played five at the back for a period.
Following Dean Huijsen’s decision to choose Real Madrid, Chelsea continued to actively monitor the centre-back market, with the aim of adding a player of starting-level quality.
The only defender identified internally as meeting that level was Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. But, Phillips states that Enzo Maresca was unconvinced.
JUDGEMENT TIME: Did Chelsea make a mistake not signing Marc Guehi?😬
Enzo Maresca rejected the chance to sign Marc Guehi at Chelsea
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What is the story of Marc Guehi at Chelsea?
Marc Guehi spent 14 years at the club, arriving as a seven-year-old and leaving as one of the most decorated youth prospects in the club’s history.
His debut came in a 7-1 EFL Cup win against Grimsby Town back in September of 2019. But things got tough, and he recognised he needed regular minutes. This resulted in him securing an 18-month loan to Swansea City, where he became one of the best defenders in the Championship.
However, upon returning in the summer of 2021, Chelsea had Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Kurt Zouma all fighting for places, so he decided to leave.
Missing out on him will come as a big blow, especially to rivals Manchester City. But, with the Citizens reportedly paying him £300k-per-week, he may have always been out of reach.
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