Chelsea's Decision to Pass on Marc Guehi Explained
Chelsea opted out of pursuing Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, allowing Manchester City to secure the talented defender in a £20 million deal. Several reasons influenced Chelsea's choice, from financial concerns to dressing room dynamics.
Chelsea backed away from a potential deal for Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, allowing Manchester City to swoop in for the Crystal Palace and England defender in a deal worth an initial £20 million. The Blues have been hunting for a new centre-back to bolster their backline but opted against re-signing the 25-year-old due to several concerns.Guehi has completed a January move to Manchester City, with Crystal Palace opting to cash in on the defender in January to avoid losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer. The centre-back had looked set to join Liverpool last summer but saw a late move to Anfield collapse. The Reds and Chelsea were then both linked with a winter move for Guehi, but City have won the race for his signature and handed him a contract at the Etihad until 2031. His transfer comes at a time when Manchester City are struggling defensively, with John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all out injured.Chelsea decided against signing Chelsea for several reasons, according to BBC Sport. The financial aspect was one issue, with Guehi now earning a reported wage of £300,000 a week. The highest earner at Chelsea is captain Reece James on £250,000 a week, meaning Guehi would have become the club's highest-paid player which the club feel may have caused an issue in the dressing room. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwil all want to discuss improved terms at Chelsea but the Blues are in no rush to enter talks. The Blues also felt that Guehi "was too similar" to Colwill, another reason why they backed out of a January transfer.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Guehi spoke about his decision to join Manchester City after being unveiled at the club and called his new side the best in the country. He said: "I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player. This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that. I love football - it has given me so much for so long - and to be able to continue my development at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I absolutely cannot wait to get started now. I want to meet my teammates, train hard, understand what the manager expects of me and then show the City fans what I can do."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingChelsea are now being linked with a move for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The €60 million-rated (£52m/$70m) youngster has impressed in Ligue 1 and could now be set to move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are reportedly hoping to sign him in January and then loan him back to Rennes for the rest of the season in a bid to get the deal over the loan this winter. However, head coach Habib Beye has made it clear he wants to keep hold of Jacquet. He told reporters: "I believe that today he is a very important player for our objectives. If tomorrow we were to let him go, we would have to lower our expectations. When you have offers from such a club, it can make things a little hesitant. I’m very firm on this situation. He is an essential player for us. He is one of the best players in our team and so we have to resist that approach. There are several factors I don’t control in all of this. We’ll see what happens in the coming days."Chelsea will hope to secure a deal for Jacquet before the window closes but it remains to be seen if the defender will arrive in January or at the end of the season. As for Guehi, he looks set to make his Manchester City debut against Wolves but joins the club amid a poor run of form. Guardiola's side head into Saturday's match on the back of defeats to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League and Manchester United in the Premier League.
Financial Consideration
One of the primary reasons Chelsea decided against signing Marc Guehi was the financial aspect. Guehi's reported wage of £300,000 a week would have made him the highest-paid player at the club, potentially causing unrest among the squad. With captain Reece James currently earning £250,000 a week, Chelsea chose not to upset the team's wage structure.
Similarity to Levi Colwill
Chelsea also felt that Guehi's playing style and attributes were too similar to those of Levi Colwill, another promising young defender at the club. This redundancy in skill set led Chelsea to believe that signing Guehi in January was unnecessary, as it might create competition between the two players for playing time.
Manchester City Move
Marc Guehi expressed his delight at joining Manchester City, highlighting the club's stature and the quality of the squad. He sees this transfer as a significant step in his career development and is eager to contribute to his new team's success. City's defensive woes due to injuries make Guehi's arrival crucial for bolstering their backline.
Jeremy Jacquet Transfer Rumors
Chelsea are now rumored to be eyeing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet as a potential target. The €60 million-rated youngster has caught Chelsea's attention for his performances in Ligue 1. Coach Habib Beye is adamant about retaining Jacquet, emphasizing the player's importance in Rennes' objectives. It remains to be seen if Chelsea can secure a deal for Jacquet either in January or at the end of the season.
Future of Chelsea's Defensive Reinforcement
With the pursuit of Marc Guehi set aside, Chelsea will continue to explore options to bolster their defensive lineup. The decision-making process involves a balance of financial prudence, squad harmony, and tactical considerations as they seek to strengthen the team in the ongoing transfer window.
