Recapping Evann Guessand's story so far

Club

12 Aug 2026

Crystal Palace fans, your next summer signing might be a familiar one... it's the return of Evann Guessand!

The 25-year-old returns on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the 2026/27 season.

A former Player of the Season winner at former club OGC Nice, and a double European champion – yes, a double European champion – last season, let’s revisit what Guessand is set to bring back to Selhurst Park...

Ivory Coast International

Born in Ajaccio, France, but growing up in Marseille, Guessand holds dual citizenship, and is also an Ivorian international.

And he has already represented his country at the highest level, winning 23 senior caps and scoring four goals.

His first appearance came in June 2024 in a World Cup qualifying fixture against Kenya, with the debutant coming on in a left-wing role.

Just eight months ago he went to his first major tournament with Les Elephants and made a big impact.

Coming off the bench in Ivory Coast’s third group game with just over 20 minutes to play, his side were trailing Gabon 2-1. Guessand equalised with just six minutes remaining, with Ivory Coast going on to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The versatile forward was then rewarded with a start in the Round of 16 – a comfortable 3-0 win over Burkina Faso. Guessand then made his second consecutive start in the quarter-final against Egypt, who progressed after a 3-2 win.

But Guessand's big-game experience continued with the Ivory Coast earlier this summer when he made two appearances at the FIFA World Cup Finals in North America, featuring off the bench in matches against Germany and Norway.

Versatile Attacker

Guessand’s breakout season with Nice in 2024/25, saw him predominantly feature on the right wing, scoring 13 goals in 33 starts.

But he has also operated in various other positions throughout his career, sometimes playing off the left, but also as the central striker.

The Ivory Coast international also has experience of playing behind the central striker.

His former assistant manager at Nice, the ex-Leicester midfielder Lilian Nalis, described Guessand’s style while with the club: “He is capable of pulling something out of the bag to make the difference.

"If he gets in front of you, it’s difficult for defenders to get him back.”

European Excellence

The Ivorian earned his place in continental football history last season with a unique double.

In representing Palace in the UEFA Conference League in the second half of last season, it was the fourth different club he had played for in European competition.

He had also played for Nantes, Nice and, this season, Aston Villa in the Europa League.

Guessand has a decent strike rate in that tournament, with four goals in 13 starts – handy for Palace fans to know ahead of their own upcoming venture this season.

But even more promisingly, Guessand earned a Europa League winner's medal with Villa last season after notching twice in seven matches, prior to Unai Emery's team lifting the trophy in Istanbul back in May.

And better still, with Guessand also featuring six times for Palace – including a late substitute appearance in the Final in Leipzig – and scoring in the knockout rounds against Zrinjski Mostar, the attacker became the first-ever player to win two European competitions in the same season.

Fancy making it three in two, Evann?

A threat in the air

Although Guessand is capable of playing across the front line, he offers teams a significant aerial presence regardless of his position.

Standing at 6’2, the forward scored several thumping headed goals for Nice and Nantes, with whom he spent a season on loan in 2022/23. In addition, three of his 13 goals in 2024/25 were headers.

Guessand is equally happy to link play by picking up possession in tight areas and can move past opposition defenders to carry the ball up the pitch.

Already a fan favourite

Guessand returns to South London as a European champion with Palace – but himself believes it is just the start of his journey with the club.

Indeed, the attacker gave the Selhurst Park faithful a glimpse of his undoubted talent back in February – before injury disrupted the latter part of his season – with two standout Premier League memories.

It's never bad when you start things off with a debut-day assist off the bench for the match-winning goal against Brighton & Hove Albion...

... and then follow it up a few weeks later with a 90th-minute winner to see off Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park.

More of the below to come, we hope!

Welcome back to South London, Evann!

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