Chelsea are frontrunners to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace with Enzo Maresca suggesting the club will target a centre-back this month.
Injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile have stretched Chelsea’s options and the Blues are considering a signing to boost their depleted defence.
Guehi is on the club’s radar, as Chelsea consider a move to bring their former academy graduate back to the club. The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Chelsea before leaving for Crystal Palace in an £18m deal in 2021.
Another top Marc Guéhi @England performance 👏🏴#CPFC pic.twitter.com/4tNuwUK2L7
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 18, 2024
During his time with the Eagles, Guehi has established himself as a regular with the England national team. He was an impressive performer as the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2024.
Palace rejected multiple bids for Guehi from Newcastle United in the summer and value the defender in excess of £65. With Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool unlikely to invest significantly this month, Football Transfers are reporting that Chelsea can move ahead in the race.
Enzo Maresca fieled a centre-back partnership of 21-year-old Levi Colwill and 18-year-old Josh Acheampong during the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday. That result extended Chelsea’s winless run to four games and led Maresca to suggest additions could arrive – despite praise for Acheampong on his first Premier League start.
“All the players, for me, were good but if I had to decide for one, I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age, it was his first game,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference.
“Josh, for me, can be a top player for this club but he needs the right path, the right moment; for young players, you need to decide which moment.
“We decided (to start him in this game) because we think he showed that he was ready. I think he showed how good he is. Because of his age, he needs to slow down, work hard and take his next chance.
“Even if we don’t decide to buy players or sell players because Josh has shown he is good, we already knew Josh was good enough. Probably with Wes and Benoit injuries, we will see if something is going to happen [in the transfer market].”
