In the last transfer window, Chelsea were heavily linked with their former player Marc Guehi.
In the end, Guehi remained at Crystal Palace before moving to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City on Monday.
The 25-year-old has been one of the most consistent defenders in England for a while now, hence all of the interest in him.
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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Yet despite Chelsea having considered Guehi, a couple of things put them off from signing the central defender.
Estevao Willian for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Finances and attributes stopped Chelsea from making Marc Guehi move
Chelsea do seem to appreciate Guehi as a player. According to The Athletic, they have respect for their ex-academy star.
However, the same outlet claims that the overall cost of the deal and the fact that the club are searching for a defender with different attributes to Guehi prevented Chelsea from making a swoop for him.
It remains to be seen what exactly Chelsea are looking for, but Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet has clearly ticked their boxes.
IMAGINE: You have the final say on Chelsea’s three-man centre-back shortlist. Who will you pick?
The three centre-back targets under consideration at Chelsea:
Jeremy Jacquet
Jacobo Ramon
Marcos Senesi
Đorđe Petrović and Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth
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Right now, Chelsea are prioritising the signing of Jacquet, who could end up costing them £60m.
It means that despite opting against submitting an offer for Guehi, Liam Rosenior could still end up getting his hands on a new central defender this month.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace arrives for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Marc Guehi’s subtle dig at Chelsea supporters
Guehi will not be Chelsea fans’ favourite former player and not just because he has joined one of their English rivals.
Upon his Palace exit, Guehi aimed a little dig at Chelsea fans, claiming that they made no noise despite watching their side beat the Eagles 3-0 back in 2021.
Chelsea supporters will not appreciate that, nor the fact that he now plays for City.
When the Citizens travel to Stamford Bridge in April, pay attention to the reception that the home fans give to their former star. It could be an ugly one, though Guehi is experienced and composed enough not to let it affect him.
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