Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a powerful message to the club's board regarding the future of defensive linchpin Marc Guehi, stating that finding an adequate replacement for the England international would be borderline 'almost impossible'.
The Austrian tactician, who has transformed Palace's fortunes since his arrival, made an impassioned plea to resist any substantial offers for the 24-year-old centre-back during the current transfer window. Glasner's comments come amid persistent speculation linking Guehi with moves to several top-six Premier League clubs.
'You Can't Replace Quality Like His'
Glasner didn't mince words when assessing Guehi's importance to his project at Selhurst Park. "When you have a player of Marc's quality, it's not just about finding another body to fill the position," the manager explained. "It's about replacing his leadership, his understanding of the game, and his connection with the fans. That combination is incredibly rare."
The Palace boss highlighted how Guehi has become the defensive cornerstone of his system, which has seen the Eagles become one of the most organised and difficult teams to break down in the Premier League.
The Statistical Case for Retention
Glasner's stance is backed by compelling statistics that underline Guehi's value:
- Top three among Premier League defenders for progressive passes completed
- Consistently ranks in the 90th percentile for successful aerial duels
- Has formed one of the most effective defensive partnerships with Joachim Andersen
- Key to Palace's impressive defensive record since Glasner's appointment
"The numbers don't lie," Glasner noted. "When you analyse what Marc brings to this team, you understand why replacing him isn't just difficult—it's nearly impossible without compromising our ambitions."
A Test of Palace's Ambition
The situation presents a significant test of Crystal Palace's stated ambitions to establish themselves as a top-half Premier League side. With several key players already attracting interest from bigger clubs, retaining Guehi would send a powerful message about the club's direction under Glasner.
"We're not a selling club anymore," Glasner asserted, making the club's position clear. "We have ambitions to push higher up the table, and that means keeping our best players. Marc is absolutely central to those plans."
The coming weeks will reveal whether Palace's hierarchy shares their manager's conviction or if substantial offers will test their resolve to keep one of English football's most promising defenders.
