Chelsea eye Marc Guehi in summer centre-back revamp
Chelsea are looking to step up their bid to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer as they view him as a more reliable option than both Levi Colwill and Juventus loanee Dean Huijsen. With the Blues overhauling their side once again, a stronger back would make them feel more comfortable, particularly because their backline has been shaky this season.
Guehi, a product of Chelsea’s academy at Cobham before joining Palace in 2021, has quietly blossomed into one of the sturdiest English defenders in the Premier League. His maturity, tactical understanding and leadership have caught the eye of some of the biggest clubs and Chelsea are now seriously considering a reunion.
Palace are fully aware of the increasing interest in Guehi, who is believed to be rated at £40million. It is a hefty fee but Chelsea feel it makes sense for a club who wants to invest in someone proven in the Premier League who has a sound tactical background. Whereas Juventus’ Huijsen, who is also a raw talent, is no more than a stop-gap, Guehi brings instant quality and extra security at the back.
Colwill, although, highly-rated has suffered form dips and issues over injuries which leaves him in limbo going forward. Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi are promising but unproven. Guehi’s arrival would provide manager Enzo Maresca with squad depth and allow him to rotate without a discernible drop in quality at the back.
Strategic return and Premier League readiness
Chelsea’s interest in Guehi is also indicative of a wider movement towards re-signing former graduates of Cobham. They have already recalled the likes of Ian Maatsen on loan and paid attention to the availability of others such as Tino Livramento and Tariq Lamptey. Guehi is in this mould but with the added maturity of being a regular England international.
His performances under Roy Hodgson and now Oliver Glasner, have thrown a spotlight on his versatility. Guehi can excel in both back-four and back-three set-ups and, as such, is a flexible asset for Maresca to build his tactics around. Throughout this season, during which Palace have been poor, he has still been highly accurate when passing the ball, dominant in the air and composed under pressure — exactly the qualities Chelsea miss.
Guehi’s return might also bring control and authority at the back, attributes that Chelsea have lacked since Thiago Silva (likely to depart this summer) and César Azpilicueta left the club. A player who knows the culture of the club but who has matured elsewhere is deemed the perfect bridge between youth and experience.
Financially, Chelsea might be in the position to arrange a deal involving player swap or potential add-ons. Palace do not need to sell, so talks could be protracted. However, Chelsea’s willingness to act early in the window might give them an edge.
Author’s Opinion
For a few, the idea of commuting for Marc Guehi is about reverting to type, about Chelsea romancing the past rather than staking out the future. Guehi is now a top-level Premier League defender and his progression has surpassed that of a lot of peers. Colwill is still raw and Huijsen unproven in England, making Guehi a plug-and-play option.
This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about remedying an issue with a player who offers leadership, consistency and tactical flexibility. Chelsea’s back line needs more than just ability — it needs someone with Premier League know-how, and a cool head under fire.
If they’re able to seal the deal at around £40 million, this could turn out to be one of their smartest moves of the window – not just as an alternative to Huijsen, but as a genuine above and beyond on Colwill’s current levels.
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