Marc Guéhi is probably one of those transfers that Arne Slot will feel in the long term. With only three experienced centre-backs to hold the line, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez have a big challenge ahead post international break.
The transfer was a tricky one to start with, as Crystal Palace were sure of not letting their coveted captain leave. Then comes the deadline day, when a probable shift in the Igor Julio deal changed their minds.
Eagles Manager Oliver Glasner was pretty successful in convincing the club. “We wanted a replacement by 1 July. It is 31 August and we have no replacement. 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”, said the gaffer.
This means only a realistic change in the Julio situation pushed the club into permitting Guéhi for a medical in London. Unfortunately, things changed after the sheets were delivered, as both The Reds and Marc returned home empty-handed.
The primary trigger was Brighton and Hove Albion defender Igor Julio choosing West Ham United over Crystal Palace.
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Crystal Palace X handle accidentally leaks farewell video
Crystal Palace accidentally posted a Marc Guéhi farewell video on X (formerly Twitter) (Credits: Imago Images)
Despite the collapse, the Crystal Palace X (formerly Twitter) handle accidentally leaked a farewell video intended for the defender.
You can find it here on the talkSPORT website, as the officials deleted it later. The Eagles management was so certain of signing Igor Julio that they allowed both a medical in London and also ordered a farewell video for the defender.
If it were not for Oliver Glasner’s breakdown at Selhurst Park, the British-Ivorian footballer would have been announced alongside deadline day signing Alexander Isak.
Marc Guéhi was a very important part of the puzzle in the Slot architecture for the 2025/26 season. As mentioned before, with only three experienced centre-backs holding the line, injuries might prove to be season-defining if nothing happens in the January transfer window.
Joe Gomez already has a pretty bad reputation in the hospital. If we combine that with van Dijk or Konaté getting injured, then the backline will be in the hands of the Liverpool youth.
Things would’ve been a bit stable if not for Jarell Quansah’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool have managed to solve the depth problem up front, but a hole in the defensive line remains.
