Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner remains confident that club captain Marc Guehi will stay at Selhurst Park until the end of the season, despite renewed interest and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the defender’s expiring contract. Guehi, whose deal runs out at the end of the campaign, came close to joining Liverpool in the last hours of the summer transfer window and is widely expected to move on in 2026.
Liverpool, among other top clubs, continue to monitor him closely, but Glasner believes Palace will retain his services for the current campaign. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League tie against KuPS, the Austrian offered his clearest indication yet of the club’s stance.
“I think Marc will stay until the end of the season,” Glasner said, signalling Palace’s determination to keep the England international during a period that includes European football and a Carabao Cup semi-final. The club views Guehi as essential to stability during a demanding run of fixtures.
Kamada injury update: Glasner explains the setback
Alongside transfer talk, Glasner also addressed Daichi Kamada’s condition after the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the 3–0 defeat to Manchester City. The issue arrived from an awkward and forceful stretch, something Glasner described as unlucky rather than a sign of ongoing fitness concerns.
“He overstretched everything and had the full weight on the front, and that's why this happened,” Glasner explained. “Usually, he never has muscle injuries but, unfortunately, this is part of our game.”
Palace will continue to assess Kamada in the coming days, though the setback adds to the growing physical demands on the squad as fixtures intensify across multiple competitions. His absence will be felt in midfield, particularly with Palace entering a phase of high-intensity matches.
A crucial spell for Glasner’s squad
Palace now enter one of the busiest and most significant periods of their season. They host KuPS on Thursday in the Conference League before travelling to Leeds at the weekend. Shortly after that comes their Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Arsenal, marking a rare opportunity for the club to push for silverware.
Glasner has repeatedly praised the mentality and tactical understanding within his squad, but the coming stretch will test their depth. Guehi’s leadership becomes even more vital as Palace balance European ambition with domestic responsibilities, while the loss of Kamada forces adjustments in a midfield that has been central to their performances under Glasner.
Although speculation surrounding Guehi is unlikely to disappear, the manager’s confidence that he will remain through the season should provide stability as the club navigates this demanding run.
Why Palace’s stance on Guehi makes sense
Having followed Palace’s recruitment and contract strategy closely, keeping Guehi until the summer aligns with both competitive and financial logic. Allowing him to leave in January would weaken the heart of their defence at a time when they are competing on multiple fronts. Although some may argue the risk of losing him for free is significant, it’s worth questioning whether immediate sporting success — and the revenue tied to cup progression — may outweigh a transfer fee.
In our view, Palace believe maintaining momentum is worth more than a mid-season sale. Guehi’s leadership and consistency make him indispensable, and Glasner’s system relies heavily on defensive coordination. A summer departure, managed on Palace’s terms, remains the likelier path.
Kamada’s absence tests midfield balance
Kamada’s injury arrives at an unfortunate moment, with Palace requiring rhythm, creativity and control in the middle of the pitch. His ability to carry the ball and connect transitions has been one of the side’s understated strengths. Glasner will now look toward rotation options and tactical tweaks to maintain structure during his recovery.
Key Insights
- Glasner expects Guehi to stay until the end of the season despite transfer links
- Liverpool remain admirers but Palace won’t sell mid-campaign
- Kamada out with a hamstring injury suffered against Manchester City
- Palace face KuPS, Leeds and Arsenal in a crucial, fixture-heavy stretch
- Guehi’s leadership becomes vital with European and domestic demands rising
What’s Next?
Crystal Palace host KuPS in the Conference League on Thursday before travelling to Leeds United at the weekend. Their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal follows shortly after, marking one of the most important periods of their campaign.
👉 Palace fans — is keeping Guehi until summer the right call even if it means losing him for free?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *