Evann Guessand could return to Aston Villa after Crystal Palace contract 'terminated'

Crystal Palace could terminate Evann Guessand's loan deal and send him back to Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has not featured in any of the Eagles' last five games following a disgareement with Pierre Sage, and is not believed to be part of the manager's long-term plans.

This comes after the boss spoke openly about his demands for the Ivory Coast international to step up his performances, as he has failed to live up to expectations so far.

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Sage believes Guessand is not good enough to feature in his team and he is now well down the pecking order.

Crystal Palace first brought the forward to the club under Olvier Glasner in January, before landing another loan deal in the summer, but doubts have continued to grow.

Guessand was left out of the Eagles' Europa League squad for this season, and after Sage's public criticism, it may be difficult for him to regain his place in the squad.

What is next for Evann Guessand at Crystal Palace?

Football Insider revealed in May that Crystal Palace were considering making Guessand's stay permanent, despite what was a mixed spell after he joined from Aston Villa.

However, the Eagles eventually opted against a permanent deal and instead landed another loan, and that decision has already paid off just weeks into the new season.

Given his short-term deal at Selhurst Park, there is a feeling he could instead be allowed to return to Aston Villa if he cannot work his way back into Sage's squad.

"I've had my doubts about Guessand from his time at Aston Villa where he really struggled," Brown told Football Insider.

"He didn't do badly when he joined Palace last season, so it looked like the chance of scenery might have suited him and they decided to take him on loan for another year.

"But ultimately, it's no surprise that he's struggling already because I'd have to question whether or not he is suited to the Premier League.

"His influence at both clubs since he's been here hasn't been particularly strong, and now he's not even getting into the squad at Crystal Palace becaues he's not good enough.

"It seems he has had this disgareement with the manager after being dropped from the squad, but that can go one of two ways.

"Either he gets his head down and works hard to improve and show the manager that he deserves to be there, like his teammates have, or he sulks and stays on the sidelines.

"If it's going to be the latter, and it seems like it is, then he won't have a future at Crystal Palace under this manager and maybe they'll decide to send him back to Aston Villa.

"He hasn't been involved with the matchday squad for a while, and if he can't prove to the manager that he deserves to be there, then why should they keep him around?"

How do Crystal Palace feel about Pierre Sage's comments?

Despite a growing feeling that Guessand no longer has a role to play at Selhurst Park, Sage is also facing scrutiny for his public criticism of the forward in recent weeks.

After dropping the Ivory Coast international from the squad for the 3-2 defeat against Fulham, the boss later explained: "He hasn't responded at the level I expect. We need to find a solution."

Brown warned Football Insider on 16 September that Sage was risking alienating some of his players with his harsh criticisms, and the club are believed to share those concerns.

This came after Guessand, Dwight McNeil and Jaydee Canvot were all publicly slammed by the boss and dropped from his squad as a result of poor performances.

However, both McNeil and Canvot have stepped up their performances in following games against Lech Poznan and Leeds United, with Guessand the clear outlier.