Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has admitted the club ‘like’ Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
Guehi has been linked with a potential return to Chelsea this month as the West Londoners seek a defensive addition. The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Chelsea but made just two senior appearances before his departure for Crystal Palace in 2021.
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Guehi has since established himself as an England international and impressed during the run to the final of Euro 2024 last summer. Chelsea are reported to be considering a bid to sign Guehi in the January transfer window, with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile currently sidelined.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup third round tie with Morecambe this weekend, Maresca admitted his admiration for the defender. However, he refused to be drawn further on the transfer speculation.
“Only thing I can say is Guehi is a Palace player,” Maresca said.
“I like Marc for sure, but he is not our player. I also like the central defenders we have. I also like central defenders in Italy, Spain, in France, but does not mean we are going to buy those players.
“Normal situation when you have central defender injury that speculation is there, but there is nothing.”
Maresca also discussed the possibility of recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace. Chalobah was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer but could be called back to Stamford Bridge this month to ease the club’s defensive injury issues.
“This is exactly the same. I have to give you the same answer. Trev is a good player, but also a Palace player, so we will see.”
