"My understanding" - Journalist reveals clause which may see Chelsea re-sign £18m international
Chelsea could eventually look to seal Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi’s return to Stamford
Bridge thanks to a clause ‘which kicks in next summer’, according to The Sun journalist
Tom Barclay.
Guehi was only offered two senior appearances during his time on the Blues’ books, having
featured on more than 100 occasions for the west Londoners at youth level, and it seems
he could still have a future at Chelsea despite being allowed to leave the club last year.
Guehi was offloaded to Palace last summer, with the Eagles willing to part with £18million
in order to welcome him to Selhurst Park.
The 21-year-old gem admitted to being ‘very excited’ after penning a five-year deal
with Patrick Vieira’s side and there is no doubting that the move has paid off.
Guehi has made 33 appearances for the Eagles, worn the captain’s armband on numerous occasions
and also shown he is a threat in the opposition’s penalty area by chipping in with four goals.
His impressive form has resulted in him earning a maiden call-up to the England international
side, with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate revealing the Palace man has been fast-tracked
into the squad.
Central defender Guehi reacted to his selection by insisting he was ‘very proud’ to have
been included in Southgate’s plans, while Eagles chief Vieira feels representing his
country will result in the former Chelsea man growing in confidence after meeting ‘his
ambition’.
Barclay has confirmed that Chelsea inserted a clause into the deal which took Guehi to
Palace which means they could still beat admirers to his signature further down the line.
The journalist believes Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel could look to take advantage of the
agreement from the summer of 2023.
Barclay told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think they do have a buyback clause.
My understanding is they have a clause, which kicks in next summer, where if another club
makes a bid and it gets accepted then they have the right to match that bid and have
it accepted.
“His story at Chelsea might not definitely be over, but it’s not as simple as Tino
Livramento, for example, where if they just offer close to £38million, they can get him
back.”
It is understood that Guehi did initially feature in Tuchel’s plans ahead of Palace’s
big-money offer, so it would appear the German did not want him to leave Stamford Bridge
in the first place.
With central defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen out-of-contract in the
summer, along with right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea will now be wishing they had decided
not to cash-in on their academy product.
As it stands, the Blues will have six central defenders on their books next term, but that
includes Ethan Ampadu, Matt Miazga and Jake Clarke-Salter, who are all currently out on
loan.
The sanctioning of Roman Abramovich means Chelsea are not able to put summer transfer
plans into action until the Russian oligarch is replaced as owner of the club.