How Marc Guehi compares to Europe’s best centre-backs
Marc Guehi is expected to join a top European club next summer, but how does the Crystal Palace captain compare statistically to the continent’s best central defenders?
Guehi’s move to Liverpool at the end of the summer transfer window collapsed at the eleventh hour, and the England defender has done well to get his head down and continue his fine performances for Palace, who sit sixth in the Premier League currently.
Liverpool are expected to reattempt Guehi’s signing in the January transfer window, but given he would be available for a reduced fee, other clubs are now showing interest, and the Reds are having to consider alternative players just in case.
With Guehi appearing to be such a hot commodity for Europe’s elite, it poses the question of why clubs of such stature are so confident of his ability to play at their level.
How Marc Guehi compares to Europe’s best in his position
While team playstyle is a huge factor in the defensive data for central defenders, it is interesting to compare Guehi’s data against some of the most notable defenders around Europe this season.
Here, we compare his numbers to a leading centre-back from some of Europe’s biggest clubs: Virgil van Dijk, Dean Huijsen, Dayot Upamecano and Alessandro Bastoni.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given he plays for a team who defends fairly deep, Guehi averages more tackles per 90 than the other four players (2.1), and while none of them can beat his interceptions per 90 (1.1).
His potential future central defensive partner, van Dijk, leads these five players for clearances per 90 minutes (8.7), but Guehi ranks second (5.1).
Van Dijk (0.29) is also the only player among the group to commit fewer fouls per 90 minutes than Guehi (0.43), which is an impressive feat for the Englishman considering how much more defending he has to do than the others.
| 2025-26 (Per 90) | Guehi | Van Dijk | Huijsen | Upamecano | Bastoni |
| Tackles | 2.1 | 0.43 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Interceptions | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.63 | 1.1 | 0.87 |
| Clearances | 5.1 | 8.7 | 4.9 | 2.1 | 3.3 |
| Aerial Win Rate | 67.9% | 78.0% | 77.8% | 61.5% | 58.3% |
| Fouls | 0.43 | 0.29 | 1.3 | 0.43 | 1.3 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.71 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.43 | 2.4 |
| Progressive Passes | 4.6 | 5.7 | 8.3 | 4 | 7.4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 85.8% | 89.4% | 88.4% | 92.4% | 84.9% |
As he has spends less time in possession of the ball than others, it makes sense that his figure for progressive carries (0.71) is on the lower side, although his progressive passing figures (4.6) are promising considering that aspect.
Guehi ranks third among the group for aerial win rate (67.9%), though this is the highest mark of his career to date and hints at this desire to continue improving his game.
Where will Guehi be playing his football next season?
One thing that appears absolutely certain at this point is that Guehi will not be playing for Palace next season, irrespective of how well they perform in the Premier League this term.
Guehi has had ample opportunity to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park, but his ambition to play at a higher level is clear.
Given he spent his youth career with the club before departing permanently for Palace in 2021, it would not be a surprise to see Chelsea attempt to sign Guehi in the near future, especially so considering their recent struggles in the centre of defence.
Outside of the Premier League, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs on Guehi, while Real Madrid are also linked.