Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca watches during Premier League matches (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Chelsea are interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Mark Guech at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and Chelsea hopes to bring him back to the club this summer. Guehi is also linked to Tottenham.
According to Mick Brown, Chelsea is expected to bolster their efforts to sign players once they secure qualifying for the Champions League next season. He added that Bruce sees him as one of their best targets.
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He told Football Insider:
“Obviously, he came through their academy, so they know him well.
“He will be a calm and stable influence they don’t currently have on the backline.
“So if they join their main focus for now, their Champions League, I hope they will bolster their efforts to bring him along.”
It remains to be seen whether they can agree to a reasonable deal with Crystal Palace. The Eagles don’t want to sell him for a price of around £70 million in January, but Guehi’s asking price is likely to drop now. He enters the final 12 months of his contract this summer, and the Eagles are under pressure to win cash on him. They wouldn’t want to lose his quality player with free transfers.
Marc Guehi helps improve Chelsea
The 24-year-old could be a great acquisition for Chelsea, and he helps them tighten up in the back. The Bruce looks defensively vulnerable this season and has struggled with injuries in the rear. Signing a quality central defender is a wise decision.
Guehi knows the club and he may be keen to return to his boyhood club. He may feel he has an unfinished business at Stamford Bridge. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be able to get a deal on the entire line.
The Crystal Palace defender has shown his abilities at Selhurst Park and helped him during the FA Cup this season. He now aims to compete at a higher level and compete for the league title and Champions League. Chelsea was able to offer him the opportunity in the future.