Marc Guehi bids farewell as Crystal Palace star heads out for good
Marc Guehi had a single word for one of his Crystal Palace team-mates after a new announcement at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner‘s side are on course for another mid-table Premier League finish and cannot finish lower than twelfth, but could still be set for a European adventure next term if they can win their next match.
That match is the FA Cup Final on 17 May against Manchester City, and a place in next season’s Europa League will beckon for the Eagles if they can beat Pep Guardiola’s Champions League-bound side.
Guehi has been a near ever-present this campaign as the centrepiece of Glasner’s three-man defence at Selhurst Park, and his seniority within a forward-thinking Palace squad is only set to grow in the future.
Crystal Palace confirm Joel Ward exit, Guehi reacts
Guehi has captained Palace this season in his 41 appearances across all competitions, with Joel Ward restricted to two substitute cameos and Daniel Munoz the clear first-choice for Glasner at right-back.
The England centre-back has attracted plenty of transfer attention across the last 12 months, but Palace will be hopeful they can retain Guehi after they confirmed that Ward would leave the club this summer.
After 13 years, 362 appearances and six goals for the Eagles since his arrival from Portsmouth in 2012, Ward’s departure at the end of the season has led to tributes from Palace team-mates past and present.
Guehi joined in on those tributes, and posted on his Instagram story (13 May) with a one-word message for the 35-year-old, saying: “Legend.”
Crystal Palace braced for Marc Guehi exit
Although Palace will wish Ward well once his contract ends next month, June is set to kick off another summer of transfer speculation over Guehi’s future, with numerous Premier League clubs interested.
Newcastle’s long-winded and ultimately successful chase for the 24-year-old could be re-ignited this summer, while Football Insider revealed in September that Liverpool are also big admirers of Guehi.
A move across London to Tottenham could also be on the cards after Mick Brown told Football Insider that they see Guehi as their top target over Fikayo Tomori, and it’s clear Palace will have a fight on their hands to retain their captain this summer.