Chelsea looking to re-sign star they sold for just £18million but face transfer battle with Newcastle
CHELSEA are considering a summer swoop to re-sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according to reports.
Guehi came through the youth ranks at Chelsea before moving to South East London for £18m during the 2021 summer window.
But Chelsea could find themselves in a battle with Newcastle, who also want to land their former star next summer.
He agreed to leave Stamford Bridge three years ago after finding his first-team opportunities limited.
However, Guehi, who joined Chelsea at the age of six, has since established himself as one of the Prem’s best centre-backs.
He has come on leaps and bounds since arriving at Selhurst Park, with the defender breaking into Gareth Southgate‘s England side last season.
Guehi started five of the six games during the Three Lions’ Euros campaign, including the final 2-1 defeat to Spain.
But the Palace star only missed the Switzerland game through suspension after picking up two yellow cards.
The 24-year-old’s Palace contract expires at the end of next season.
This has alerted the Enzo Maresca’s side to the fact he could be available for a cut-price fee next summer, according to talkSPORT.
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The centre-back was wanted by Newcastle this summer, but Palace refused to lower their £70m price tag.
Guehi, capped 22 times by England, was recently praised by interim Three Lions boss Lee Carsley for being “fast and aggressive”.
He only played two first-team games for Chelsea and was loaned out to Swansea City, before leaving to join Palace, who were then managed by Patrick Vieira.
But transfer journalist Graeme Bailey has tipped Guehi for a possible return to the Blues.
He said: “Guehi is someone who they like, he’s high up on the list. Palace have got issues, a January deal is not something Guehi is pushing for.
“He’ll have a year left on his deal next summer, and will be a very attractive proposition for one of the top six.
“He’s one to keep an eye on for sure, we know Chelsea like him, and Chelsea do want to upgrade the options behind Fofana and Colwill.”
Chelsea player ratings vs Leicester
By Graham Hill
CHELSEA survived a late Leicester fightback to win 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
SunSport’s Graham Hill rated each of the players in action.
Robert Sanchez – 6
He had a few shaky moments playing out from the back, which gave Leicester hope of getting back into the game before the break, but he will not be happy to have missed out on a clean sheet in stoppage time.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Booed on his second return to Leicester – but he refused to let it unsettle him, the fans could not put him off producing an assured display in the Chelsea defence.
Benoit Badiashile – 7
Controlled display at the back, he showed some superb vision at times but, apart from a spell in the first half, he was rarely troubled.
Levi Colwill – 7
Cool, calm and collected in defence – even when Leicester threatened to get back on level terms. A controlled second half display helped keep the Foxes at bay.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Looked a threat out left going forward and created some of Chelsea’s best opportunities of the game – including their second goal and he knew how to frustrate Leicester when he needed to.
Moises Caicedo – 8
Booked for dissent at a time when Leicester almost came back into it, but kept his head to make sure Chelsea stayed firmly in command of the game.
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Set up Jackson’s goal and is making a habit of providing key assists – this was fifth in his last three games.
Headed number two from close range for good measure.
Noni Madueke – 7
Brought an excellent first half save from Mads Hermansen – who then stopped him scoring Chelsea’s second before the break.
Blocked a certain Palmer goal though.
Cole Palmer – 8
Got some unwanted attention midway through the first half after a terrible challenge from Wilfred Ndidi – hit Maduke when he should have scored, otherwise he was excellent.
Joao Felix – 6
Peppered some shots in early on and proved a thorn in Leicester’s side, but drifted in and out of the game despite being part of a dominant Chelsea display.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
The opening goal – his seventh of the season – rounded off a powerful run and clinical finish after some help from Fernandez in the build-up. Also had a hand in Chelsea’s second.
Subs
Chris Nkunku: for Joao Felix 81mins – 6
Romeo Lavia: for Caicedo 81 mins – 5
Jadon Sancho: for Maduke 84mins – 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: for Jackson 90 + 1mins – 5