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European Tour

## World Cup winner

> Having made more than 100 appearances for Crystal Palace and now a regular captain of the side, Marc Guéhi has matured well beyond his years since moving to south London.

He joined Palace in summer 2021, signing a five-year contract with the club, and committing his services until summer 2026.

Guéhi was born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and moved to England aged one. He spent much of his early years in Lewisham and began his youth career with Bromley-based Cray Wanderers.

It didn’t take long for Guéhi to attract attention and, aged just seven, he was scouted by Chelsea.

Progressing over the following decade with the Blues, Guéhi did enough to stay at the club year on year and reaped the rewards with an immensely successful peer group.

Winning the treble with the Blues’ Under-18s in 2016/17, Guéhi signed his first professional contract in September 2017 and went on to help Chelsea scoop the quadruple – including the FA Youth Cup and league – that same season.

Guéhi’s Academy team helped to reinforce Chelsea’s image as one of the fiercest youth sides in England, as the centre-back played alongside the likes of Reece James, Tariq Lamptey, Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

But it wasn’t just at club level where Guéhi enjoyed success with a noteworthy youth team, as the teenager won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017. Indeed, Guéhi captained the Young Lions to the U17 European Championship final that same year and scored in the World Cup final just months later.

These performances ensured Guéhi was rewarded with a taste of first-team football, and he began to be named in Chelsea squads in spring 2019 – being a senior substitute on four occasions in 18/19.

His breakthrough came in the League Cup against Grimsby Town as the Blues stormed to a 7-1 victory with Guéhi in the backline. He again earned professional minutes for Chelsea in a fourth-round defeat against Manchester United, and secured a loan move to Swansea City shortly after.

Guéhi fought to secure his place over a half-season with the Swans that was disrupted by the league’s suspension in March. Having returned from the pause, Guéhi played in Swansea’s final five matches and helped to clinch a sixth-place finish.

Play-off heartbreak came for the first of two times as Swansea lost on aggregate to Brentford in the semi-finals, but Guéhi went on to enjoy personal progression the following season regardless.

2020/21 was something of a landmark for the defender, who returned to Swansea on loan for a full campaign and played 45 games. He became recognised as one of the league’s brightest talents and helped Swansea climb further up the table with a fourth-place finish.

Swansea and Guéhi continued to go one better than 19/20 by reaching the play-off final, but football showed its unforgiving side once again as Brentford overcame them for a second time. Guéhi played in every minute of the three play-off matches.

Guéhi describes himself as “strong, comfortable on the ball and hopefully growing to be a leader one day.”

These traits are evident in his play, with the 21-year-old having captained England Under-21s and made himself a mainstay for Swansea despite being one of the squad’s youngest players.

His attitude became clear when a post-match interview with him went viral across social media. Having earned a spot at Wembley and consecutive Man of the Match awards from Sky Sports, Guéhi humbly rebuked the accolades by saying: “The first time I was really surprised. Now I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous! Everyone was fantastic today, to a man. I could name everyone. For me to get this again, I don’t know.”

On the pitch, Guéhi is assertive and vocal, often heard organising his teammates with confidence. This confidence is reflected in his willingness to drive out from the back and distribute possession from relatively high up the pitch.

His first season in south London saw him feature in all but two of the games in 2021/22, making 42 appearances in total. His first goal for the club came in a chaotic 3-3 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor. Guéhi captained the side for the first time against Watford in February 2022, becoming the youngest player to captain the side since Nathaniel Clyne in 2012.

A month later, he earned his first ever call-up to the full England squad and made his debut in a 2-1 win against Switzerland.

Guéhi continued to be a rock at the heart of the Palace defence in 2022/23, forming a formidable partnership with Joachim Andersen. He was nearly ever-present in 22/23, playing in 40 out of a possible 41 games.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Guéhi again continue as a stalwart at the back, though in the latter half of the season he did suffer a knee injury which kept him out for two months. He concluded 23/24 with 29 appearances in all competitions.

He was called up to the England men's senior squad ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship and earned his 10th cap for the Three Lions with a solid defensive display and clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024.

Guéhi played a huge role at the heart of the England defence in the 2024 UEFA European Championship, playing every single minute he was eligible for as England finished runners-up in the tournament. He managed to to keep two clean sheets and register an assist for Jude Bellingham's sensational last-minute overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16.

In 2024/25, Guéhi continued to be one of the first names on the teamsheet and captained the side on a regular basis. He played in 44 games across all competitions, keeping 14 clean sheets, scoring three times and registering two assists. 

Guéhi also made history alongside Palace legend Joel Ward on the 17th May 2025 - going up the famous Wembley steps to lift the FA Cup, after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final. 

UEFA European Under-17 Championship, 2017

Team of the Tournament

March 2022, March 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Players' Player of the Season

January 2025

Crystal Palace Goal of the Month

Guéhi

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Appearances

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Extended Highlights: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Guéhi praises team spirit

Guéhi reacts to clean sheet

The Best of Marc Guèhi | Brentford (H)

Pre-match Press Conference | FC Dynamo Kyiv 

Goal AND Player of the month: Marc Guehi

Goal of the month contenders | August 2025

Extended Highlights: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Highlights: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace

Behind The Scenes | Kit Shoot

Introducing our 25/26 Eagle Gold kit 

Introducing the 25/26 Home Kit

Access All Over | FA Cup Final

Goals Inside Box

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Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

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Season

Games

### Summary:

- Five changes for Palace: Sarr returns, along with Henderson, Clyne, Mitchell & Mateta.
- **10:** Clyne seizes onto a loose pass in the City box, but can’t get his shot away.
- **17:** Pino fires a rising effort against the bar after being sent through by Wharton.
- **29:** Henderson makes a smart save to keep out Foden’s low free-kick.
- **37:** Palace continue to apply the pressure with clever running in behind.
- **41 – Goal:** Haaland gives City the lead with a clinical header from Nunes’ delivery.
- **43:** Mateta twice tests Donnarumma in quick succession as Palace respond well.
- **HT: Palace 0-1 City**
- **49:** Wharton strikes the outside of the post after dispossessing Gonzalez.
- **57:** Henderson kicks away from Reijnders as City midfielder drills low across goal.
- **67:** Nketiah and Hughes enters the fray from the bench in quick succession.
- **69 – Goal:** Foden finds space inside the ‘D’ to fire City into a two-goal lead.
- **81:** Sarr and Hughes have efforts blocked as Eagles seek a route back into the game.
- **84:** Nketiah’s late effort is turned round the post by Donnarumma.
- **89 – Goal:** Haaland scores a late penalty after Savinho is felled by Henderson.
- **FT: Palace 0-3 City**

Ahead of our first meeting with Manchester City since our meeting at Wembley back in May, Oliver Glasner shuffled his pack, making five changes from the team which defeated Shelbourne 3-0 in Dublin on Thursday.

Ismaïla Sarr – injured against Manchester United in SE25 a fortnight ago – was back among the starters, as were Dean Henderson, Tyrick Mitchell, Nathaniel Clyne and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Walter Benítez, Justin Devenny, Borna Sosa, Eddie Nketiah and Christantus Uche all moved to the bench.

As was the case at Wembley some seven months ago, Palace began the game brightly, with Yéremy Pino – a constant threat throughout the first-half – almost bursting through on goal inside the opening 20 seconds, only to be denied by an offside flag.

City did pose their own threat through the physicality of Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland – but it was the Eagles creating the better opportunities in the first period, with quick passing forward and runs in behind stretching their opponents’ defence.

Indeed, 10 minutes in, the first real danger came from an unlikely source. A direct ball forwards from Marc Guéhi was juggled wonderfully by Mateta, who exchanged flicks with Sarr. The ball was half-cleared to the edge of the box, and Clyne sprinted onto it – but, fully on the gallop, was not able to control his strike on his less-favoured left foot.

Seven minutes later, an even clearer opportunity. Pino – involved in many of Palace’s more creative moments in the first-half, with his clever running – was sent clean through by a delightful Adam Wharton chip. Chesting it down, he took the shot from the edge of the box as the ball skipped up – but unfortunately, the flight of the ball saw it crash past both Gianluigi Donnarumma and against the crossbar, before sailing over.  

There were further moments of danger, Daichi Kamada, Pino and Sarr all beating a number of players as they made inroads into the City box – but the Eagles admittedly struggled to quite time the final ball to beat the offside trap or, when they did, find a finish to truly test Donnarumma.

Indeed, it wasn’t until the half-hour mark that Henderson himself was tested by City – and an England teammate at that in Phil Foden. The playmaker sent a low free-kick around the outside of the wall from 25 yards, but Henderson was equal to it to produce a strong stop.

Palace were certainly making the better inroads, but succumbed to a moment of quality after 41 minutes – with no prizes for guessing that it was Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland who converted Matheus Nunes’ whipped cross, heading back across goal and past Henderson for the Norwegian’s 16th league goal of the season.

But Palace responded and – seconds after Mateta was beaten to another ball over the top by Donnarumma, the forward tested the Italian’s handling with a sharp turn and shot on his left foot. The goalkeeper, at full stretch, was able to turn it away.

On the balance of play, Palace were undeserving of their half-time deficit – but picked up where they left off following the restart.

Within five minutes of the second-half restarting, they hit the woodwork a second time. Wharton picked the pocket of Nico González 25 yards out and, using Mateta’s supporting run as a decoy, unleashed a dipping shot towards Donnarumma’s near post – the Italian appeared beaten, but the strike crashed against the outside of the base of his post.

City’s quality can never be counted out, however, and they were next to go close after cute feet in midfield from Bernardo Silva allowed Tijjani Reijnders to advance into the box and drill low across goal. Henderson, standing tall until the last possible moment, produced an excellent save with his feet.

Palace continued to create shooting opportunities, Wharton next to try his luck, without truly testing Donnarumma – and Glasner turned to his bench just past the hour mark, introducing in-form forward Nketiah in a bid to sharpen the Eagles’ cutting edge. Moments later, Will Hughes was summoned to replace the injured Kamada.

But the game was taken away from Palace with just over 20 minutes remaining, as City won the ball back in the Eagles’ half and Rayan Cherki advanced towards the box, squaring for Foden. The England international was afforded time to take a touch inside the ‘D’ and, with an arrow of a low strike, double the visitors’ advantage.

The Eagles kept on attacking at pace, knowing that one goal could reignite the game as a contest.

There were two late opportunities in quick succession from Sarr and substitute Will Hughes – but both low shots were blocked en route to Donnarumma’s goal – whilst Nketiah tested the Italian late on with a driven effort.

In the final minutes of regulation time, another Palace attack was cleared and substitute Savinho broke from deep, rounding Henderson and going over the ‘keeper’s outstretched arm – giving Haaland the chance to score from 12 yards, which he took.

The Eagles ultimately fell to a scoreline which did not reflect the balance of play.

**Palace:** Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Clyne (Uche, 77), Wharton, Kamada (Hughes, 67), Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta (Nketiah, 63).

**Subs:** Benítez (GK), Canvot, Sosa, Devenny, Lerma, Esse.

**Man City:** Donnarumma (GK), Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Ait-Nouri, 90+1), Nico, Reijnders (Savinho, 85), Bernardo (C), Foden, Cherki, Haaland (Marmoush, 90+1).

**Subs:** Trafford (GK), Ake, Khusanov, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis.

### As It Happened

Crystal Palace had their chances, but succumbed to clinical finishes from Erling Haaland (two) and Phil Foden in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Selhurst Park.

Report: Palace beaten by clinical City

Crystal Palace v Manchester City (2025-12-14)

Manchester City

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Christmas Shopping - Perfect Palace Presents

Crystal Palace were defeated 3-0 by Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon – with the pick of the matchday images in our gallery below.

Matchday Gallery: Palace lose out to City

The Senegal forward was injured in our defeat against Manchester United a fortnight ago, but returns to start at Selhurst Park against Pep Guardiola’s title challengers.

Also returning to the side are **Dean Henderson**, who faces City for the first-time since his heroic penalty save at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final; **Tyrick Mitchell** and **Jean-Philippe Mateta**, who were rested in our midweek win against Shelbourne in Dublin; and **Nathaniel Clyne**, who played the final 23 minutes of that game.

Making way from the side which played in that 3-0 victory are Walter Benítez, Justin Devenny, Borna Sosa, Eddie Nketiah and Christantus Uche – all five are available from the bench today.

For City, there is one change to the side which defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek: Tijjani Reijnders comes into the starting line-up in place of Jeremy Doku.

**Palace:** Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.

**Subs:** Benítez (GK), Canvot, Sosa, Devenny, Hughes, Lerma, Esse, Uche, Nketiah.

**Man City:** Donnarumma (GK), Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Reijnders, Bernardo (C), Foden, Cherki, Haaland.

**Subs:** Trafford (GK), Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis.

Oliver Glasner has made five changes to his Crystal Palace starting XI following our midweek win in the UEFA Conference League – with Ismaïla Sarr back among the starters.

Team News: Five changes for Palace to face Man City

Match reports

Match reports

Report: Palace beaten by clinical City

Matchday Gallery: Palace lose out to City

Team News: Five changes for Palace to face Man City

Christmas Shopping - Perfect Palace Presents

6Marc
Guéhi

Match reports

Match reports

Report: Palace beaten by clinical City

Matchday Gallery: Palace lose out to City

Team News: Five changes for Palace to face Man City

Christmas Shopping - Perfect Palace Presents

6MarcGuéhi

6Marc
Guéhi