Marc Guéhi heads into Crystal Palace’s clash with Liverpool determined to prove his worth, weeks after his deadline-day move to Anfield collapsed.
Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on the £35m deal at the last minute, leaving Guéhi frustrated but undeterred. Since then, the 25-year-old has impressed for both club and country, scoring his first international goal and cementing his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England setup.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted Guéhi had been disappointed by the failed transfer but praised his professionalism. “Sometimes my children would like to have something,” Glasner said. “Then you have to say: ‘Sorry, not this time.’ They’re disappointed, but the next day, it’s gone.”
Guéhi has led a Palace defence that boasts the best record in the Premier League this season, with only two goals conceded and 11 clean sheets in 20 games as part of a back three alongside Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards. Despite standing 6ft tall, he remains a threat from set pieces, a key factor in Palace’s 11 goals from corners last term.
Liverpool, who beat Palace on penalties in the Community Shield, are now short of defensive cover following Giovanni Leoni’s injury. Reports suggest they could return for Guéhi in January, when he will be in the final six months of his contract, though Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also watching closely.
For now, Guéhi remains focused on Palace, living at home with his family in south London and staying grounded despite speculation. His father, John, said: “He never thought: ‘If I force a move, Palace will let me go.’ No. He was focused and stayed professional and he always will.”
