Chelsea want familiar face as Fofana replacement

Tom Weber

• Updated: 25 Jul 2023 16:50 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are in talks with Crystal Palace over a deal that would see Marc Guehi return to Stamford Bridge, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues are monitoring the centre-back market after Wesley Fofana suffered yet another knee injury, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, and he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. This has prompted questions about Chelsea's due diligence - or lack thereof - when they signed Fofana from Leicester for an eye-watering €80.4m last summer.

Fofana has a lengthy knee-related injury history dating back to his time at Saint-Etienne, his first professional club. In his still-short career, the 22-year-old has been plagued by persistent knee ailments, already spending more than one year on the sidelines. While fitness issues are unpredictable, his injury record should have raised concerns at Chelsea.

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With Fofana out for months, the Blues are looking at potential replacements and they may have found their man in a familiar face.

Guehi back at the Bridge?

That man is Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, who came through the Chelsea youth system. Unable to break into the Blues' first team, the now-23-year-old signed for the Eagles in 2021, where has become one of the Premier League's most solid defenders.

A senior England international since last year, Guehi has attracted plenty of interest from English football's giants, but it is Chelsea who have taken the first concrete steps towards signing him, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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Nothing is advanced yet, according to the Italian, but Chelsea have contacted the Eagles to test the water regarding a transfer. Palace will, however, likely demand a pretty penny to relinquish his services. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently sits at €37.9m.

Chelsea won't be able to give him assurances that he will be a guaranteed starter, which could further complicate a potential reunion.