Crystal Palace receives a chilling look at a life without Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi had previously lost only a game for Crystal Palace this season, but a 5-2 defeat from Manchester City coincided with his second. If this trip to Etihad was a taste of how life could be if it were to start in the summer, then it was bitter.

The captain of Palace was a significant Miss in defense after receiving a suspension of a game for collecting two yellow cards against Brighton and Hove Albion last week.

Those reservations were not necessary and the result of his mistakes, but against the city, he was forced to look from the sideways while his defensive colleagues and the makeshift defender Jefferson Lerma granted five occasions. Their mistakes were much more significant.

Palace’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on April 2 concluded a series of five consecutive clean sheets of the Premier League. Yet, before this defeat by City – the third time out of 13 in general in the Premier League who gave five goals against this opponent – Oliver Glasner’s team had made 18 games in all competitions without granting more than a single goal. It is only the second time in this season in the Premier League that have brought more than two goals into a game.

The importance of familiarity under the system of the Glasner manager should not be underestimated. Perforation in the players what is required is essential is essential and the Austrian prefers to appoint a coherent initial XI. Losing Guehi was a challenge in itself, let alone when Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards had both failed significant pieces of training in recent weeks.

Guehi remained only one year on the contract he signed when he joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and there is a strong possibility that could leave the transfer window of this summer, without any evident suggestion that intends to sign a new contract.

Even with the tendency of Palace to hold back the talent, their determination will be tested. The 24 -year -old value will remain high and losing it for a free is unfathomable. It could be tempting to suggest that losing it is unfathomable, given how much the poor palace was without him in Manchester.

City crossed the defense of Palace, which has saggered in the face of prolonged pressure and wave after wave of attacks after a 30 -minute opening without the slightest flicker of concern.

“It was more than Chris did not train for 10 days, Maxence did not train throughout the week, so everyone was not at his normal higher level (rather than simply being without Guehi),” Glasner said in his post-match press conference.

“It was unusual for us not to exert pressure on the ball. It was a clear model: before we always protected the depths.

“Marc played when we granted five against Arsenal. We can look for many reasons. We made too many wrong decisions. Before the second goal, the maximum approaches the midfield where he does not need and opens the gap, so they pass behind (and score). We did not defend ourselves at our highest level. That’s why we didn’t win.”

The building does not have the coverage in the center of the center, therefore the requirement for the Lerma midfielder to be filled. Nathaniel Clyne was adequate in the position but fought in the draw with Southampton. Lerma is a more natural fit, but in a back three without its leader – although one that brings more for example than speaking on the pitch – that challenge was exacerbated. He throws an excellent performance by Kevin de Bruyne and it is easy to see how the absence of the small details that Palace’s defenders on the day can know about mutual games can cause problems.

But the building was particularly vulnerable in transition, with the city that passed through the lines several times. For the goal of the fifth city, Nico O’reilly was not marked to shoot by James Mcatee’s Cross, with Mcatee who had also been allowed to cross without pressure. Mcatee was not marked even when Omar Marmoush made Richards’ backup and then squaring the ball to his teammate with the 3-2 score.

There have been more examples of Palace’s defensive unit. De Bruyne slipped through a gap between Lacroix and daichi Kamada in the second half, which almost led to another goal.

Palace took an advantage 2-0 through Eze and Richards, in the photo (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Chadi Riad arrived last summer in order to settle, playing where necessary and at least present in the rotated initial xis. But his initial medial cross -linked ligament injury, supported in the victory of the Carabao Cup from Norwich City in August, rested that plan, first A lesion of the front cruciate ligament that he underwent in training at the end of January Further hopes have dented to integrate the 21 -year -old on the team.

If he had spent this campaign to find his feet, then Palace could have had a better idea of ​​how they would have faced if Guehi’s potential departure became a reality. Instead, Riad will not be available for selection until the new season.

Summer will require at least a new central defender, whatever happens with Guehi. If Palace starts, then they will certainly be necessary. The palace knows but did not leave so short, even if the misfortune, in the case of Riad, hit them.

This was a defeat against a team that contains a lot of quality. This should not be forgotten, even if they were as many Palace errors as the slick game of their opponents who determined the result.

Guehi’s absence may not be the main reason for such a heavy defeat, but it certainly contributed. Palace must plan life without him and consider him a bonus if he remains at Selhurst Park next season.

(Photo above: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)