According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea have apparently eliminated the possibility of signing Harry Maguire and have turned their attention to a different target. It has been stated that Mauricio Pochettino has decided against pursuing a move for Maguire and is now inclined towards securing a deal for Crystal Palace’s talented player, Marc Guehi.
Guehi’s Impressive Season With Crystal Palace
Guehi played an important role in Crystal Palace’s squad last season when he put in several solid displays for them on the defensive end of the field. The English talent made 38 appearances for the English outfit finding the back of the net once in the previous campaign.
The 23-year-old gave a good account of himself when defending inside his half, as he averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He was even excellent when distributing the ball from the back based on his pass completion rate of 85.5% in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
Good Decision From Chelsea Boss Mauricio Pochettino?
Guehi is a strong and physical defender who is good in the air, and he is also good at defending set pieces. This would be a major asset for the Blues, as they have often struggled to defend set pieces. Additionally, Guehi is a good reader of the game and is good at positioning himself to make some crucial tackles. He is also quick to clear his lines in the wake of imminent danger from the opposition attackers.
The 23-year-old would be a great addition to Chelsea’s defensive department. He is a young, talented defender with all the qualities to succeed at Stamford Bridge. He would provide competition for the other central defenders and be a good long-term investment.
Hence, the Blues have done well to back out of their pursuit of Harry Maguire, as he could have cost them more than what Guehi would come for. If the West London club manage to acquire Guehi’s signature this summer, then he could very well be a shrewd acquisition for them.