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Chelsea are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, as per reports. He notably left Stamford Bridge to join the Eagles in 2021 for £20 million, quickly becoming a very important player in south London. Now, with the Blues contemplating his return to the Bridge, he has been valued at around £70 million.
The 24-year-old center-back has been a quality player at Crystal Palace, playing 115 games in all competitions. Last season, he played 25 Premier League games for the Eagles, helping them keep seven clean sheets in those outings.
Last summer, Guehi was the subject of many transfer rumors, with his future looking uncertain at Selhurst Park. Newcastle United looked like his next destination, with the Magpies submitting four bids to Crystal Palace to get the center-back. However, none of those bids were enticing enough, failing to meet the £70 million mark, and the Eagles rejected each.
The Magpies are expected to return to the negotiation table by the January transfer window, especially in light of Marc Guehi's contract situation. The 24-year-old's contract with Crystal Palace will end in 2026, and he is yet to agree to an extension. However, Newcastle United have to look over their shoulder, with Chelsea now setting their sights on Guehi.
According to reports from Football Insider, the Blues would like to be reunited with Guehi, and his £70 million valuation will be less of a problem for them. Crystal Palace may have to temper their expectations and reduce this valuation if they are to sell him, though. At the end of the season, he will have just one year left on his contract, and they will hope not to lose him on a free.
Raheem Sterling to blame for exit, former Chelsea defender claims
Chelsea had a number of players leaving the club in the summer transfer window, including Raheem Sterling, who is now at Arsenal on loan. The former Manchester City winger was told by new manager Enzo Maresca that there was no place for him in the squad.
This led to uncertainty around Sterling's future, as he seemed unlikely to find a new club by the end of the summer window. However, Arsenal came calling on the final day, with the Blues winger making his move in the final hours. While Sterling may not be pleased with being frozen out of the squad, William Gallas has claimed that the player is at fault. The former Chelsea man told Gambling Zone (via GOAL):
"Sometimes players need to blame themselves when things don’t work out at their club... He didn’t perform for two years. He didn’t score or create enough goals and the new manager would’ve watched him and made the decision that he doesn’t want him in his squad, that’s not the manager’s fault."
In 81 games for the Blues, Sterling scored just 19 goals and provided 12 assists. The winger will be hoping for an improved time with Arsenal, who are gunning for the Premier League title this season.
