Crystal Palace have had to deal with significant losses from their squad over the past few seasons.
The Eagles have been able to sell some of their big stars for profit, with Michael Olise and Ebelesi Eze leaving the club in recent summer transfer windows to join Bayern Munich and Arsenal respectively.
This winter, the club’s captain and main defender Marc Gehi left the club. He moved to Manchester City and showed his desire to compete at the highest level and compete for the biggest trophies.
Of course, losing their captain and talisman in January was not easy for Palace to cope with.
Why was losing Guehi such a big blow?
England international Guehi played a huge role in the Eagles’ historic campaign last season.
He was the man who won the FA Cup at Wembley in May after Oliver Glasner’s side defeated his current club Man City in the capital.
He was an integral part of Glasner’s side during the Selhurst Park project.
He appeared in 80 games under the Austrian manager, scoring six goals and providing an assist in each, showing that he added value to the team outside of defense.
As a defender, some of his numbers were impressive. Last season with the South London team, he averaged 4.3 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and won an average of 4.94 duels. Regarding the ball, he successfully completed an average of 3.32 long balls each game.
As the statistics show, losing England’s star player will be a blow, with Glasner insisting it would be “impossible to find a replacement”, especially on short notice.
Perhaps City’s reported £20m fee for signing Guehi was to their detriment.
But incredibly, the Eagles have far more valuable players on their team than the former captain.
Crystal Palace star worth more than Guehi
Selhurst Park has become a haven for exciting young talent, which is attracting the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Manager Glasner could drop Strand Larsen and unleash new Zaha at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are aiming to win the Conference League ahead of the inevitable departure of some players.
Guehi’s move to Manchester is the latest example of this trend.
However, Palace still have a talented squad, with French centre-back Maxence Lacroix being one of the team’s best players.
Described as a “sensational” defender by scout Antonio Mango, he shined for the Eagles.
The former Wolfsburg player has become more important this season under Glasner, especially since Gehi’s departure.
He has made 43 appearances in all competitions and was captain in the recent Europa Conference League match against AEK Larnaca.
Some of the 25-year-old’s numbers this season highlight why he is such an important player, much like his former captain.
For example, Lacroix averages 5.9 duels won per 90 minutes, which is better than Guehi last season and ranks in the top 21% of centre-backs in the Premier League.
Lacroix – 25/26 PL Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
State (per 90) | number | rank |
won a duel | 5.9 | Top 21% |
won an aerial battle | 3.37 | Top 24% |
tackle | 1.81 | Top 25% |
clearance | 7.35 | Top 10% |
Long ball completed | 48.6% | Top 23% |
Fotmob statistics | ||
Considering Lacroix’s basic statistics in the top flight this season and how important he is to Glasner, it may not be surprising to learn that Lacroix is highly rated by Transfermarkt.
According to the website, his transfer fee is valued at £34.7 million, which is more than any other point in his career and shows his progress. The fact that Guehi is worth nearly £15 million more than he was sold for speaks volumes about his quality.
Palace will no doubt be hoping they can keep the Frenchman around for a bit longer, especially after losing Guehi recently.
Still, there’s no denying his quality, and if he has to be sold at some stage in the future, Steve Parish will no doubt be looking to recoup as much of that valuation as possible, and more.
Manager Glasner could drop Strand Larsen and unleash new Zaha at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are aiming to win the Conference League ahead of the inevitable departure of some players.
