Glasner urges Palace to keep Guehi to ensure a successful season

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner believes it is imperative for the Eagles to keep captain Marc Guehi at the club if they are to enjoy a successful 2025-26 season. 

Guehi led by example in Palace's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, with his 68th-minute stunner sandwiched between Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty and Ismaila Sarr's header.

The result saw Palace extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to 14 matches (W6 D8) – their longest ever stretch as a top-flight team in club history. 

But much of the talk in the build-up to the clash at Villa Park surrounded Guehi's future at the club, amid rumours he could join Liverpool ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

The Reds have reportedly lodged a £35m bid for the England international, though Palace are believed to want an overall package of £40m. 

Glasner, however, expressed his desire to keep hold of his star defender, with Palace facing a busy campaign after qualifying for the league phase of the Conference League. 

"I told this to the chairman, we have to keep Marc if we want to play a successful season," Glasner told BBC Match of the Day. 

"We have no chance to find the right replacement in one day. We all agreed that we only sell Marc if we have the right replacement in the building.

"We wanted a replacement by July 1. We have this agreement so it is clear from me. He is such a crucial player. He is one of our key players... he is our captain.

"Again, if we want to play a successful season, we have to keep him."

Glasner was not the only person pleading for Guehi to stay, with Palace goalscorer Mateta echoing the thoughts of his manager. 

"Every game he brings something new, and he is a fantastic player. I hope he stays with us," Mateta told Sky Sports. 

Guehi has been at Palace since 2021 after joining the Eagles from Chelsea, and he has gone on to be one of their standout performers in recent years.

The 25-year-old has made 161 appearances for the club across all competitions, leading them to their first FA Cup crown in 2024-25 as well as the Community Shield this term.

And should his display against Villa be his final one in a Palace shirt, Guehi gave the travelling supporters a fitting farewell with an excellent curling finish into the top-right corner. 

Six of Guehi's seven Premier League goals have now come away from home, while his latest strike was his first in the top flight to come from eight yards out or further.

"They mean a lot. I'm a South London boy. Captain of the football club from a young age. They have been fantastic for me and my family," Guehi said of his celebrations. 

"So it's definitely a pleasure to play for this football club. I don't like the limelight too much.

"There's a lot of cameras in my face all the time and constantly talking about me, but I'm lucky that I have a good club and team-mates around me.

"When you focus on what's important, the football, it makes it a lot easier. I'm glad I've had my family around me, the football club, the staff. It's good."