Chelsea news: Blues interested in re-signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi

Despite a strong start to the season, Chelsea have struggled in recent fixtures, particularly in defence, an area that has needed reinforcement throughout the campaign.

The top priority for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca in the 2025 January transfer window may be to sign a centre-back and a goalkeeper.

Transfer News Blitz writer Nicole Powell reports on Chelsea's interest in re-signing a former Blue as they look to bolster their defensive line amid injury setbacks.

Chelsea express interest in centre-back

Chelsea’s centre-back position has been in poor form, worsened by injury setbacks for Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile.

The pair have sustained long-term injuries, with Fofana not expected back until the end of the season, at the earliest.

Badiashile on the other hand may return in February, but his injury-prone history makes it clear that another addition to the centre-back roster is urgently needed.

In light of these injuries, Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on strengthening the centre-back position, with Marc Guehi emerging as a key target.

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Cobham graduate for a Cobham graduate

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have the chance to use Trevor Chalobah as leverage to secure Guehi for Maresca’s squad.

Chalobah, a former Chelsea player who rose through the club’s academy, is currently on loan to Crystal Palace from Stamford Bridge.

Amid talks of a potential recall back to his home club, reports have instead emerged suggesting that Chelsea are focused on bringing Guehi back to west London.

Guehi is also a product of Chelsea, having served his youth career as a Chelsea player.

At the end of the 2019 season, Guehi was named in Chelsea’s first-team squad. However, his debut would come in September of that year when he started in an EFL Cup 7-1 win against Grimsby Town.

In January 2020, the Englishman was loaned to Swansea City. He was then loaned out to the Championship team again for the 2020-21 season before eventually being sold to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021.

Palace to reject offer

While Chelsea are yet to make an official bid, it is already being reported that Crystal Palace will reject Chelsea’s offer for Guehi.

The 24-year-old joined Crystal Palace on a five-year contract which is set to expire in 18 months. With his contract nearing its end, it makes sense for Stamford Bridge to come calling.

However, as the centre-back has been a strong and vital force in Palace’s backline, the South London club may not be keen on getting the transfer done.

Palace rejected several offers from Newcastle for Guehi last summer, with the final bid reaching £65m.

This shows the club's determination to hold on to their key defender, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be able to convince them to part with the England man.

Chelsea are, however, very keen on armouring their defensive line, having already recalled Argentine Aaron Anselmino.

Chelsea aren’t known for backing out of a transfer window fight, and may well leave the window with both Guehi and Chalobah secured.

Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.

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