In the space of a week, the Cityzens are showing no signs of slowing down, as they are set to complete their second January signing with the Marc Guehi to Manchester City transfer looking set to be finalised.
Reports on Friday, January 16, revealed just how close the deal was, with updates from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming that personal terms had already been agreed and only minor formalities remained before the 25-year-old defender officially becomes a part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The move marks a giant stride and a significant statement of intent from City, who look to bolster their defensive options midway through the season after injuries to two of their starting centre-backs – Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias – signalled their ambition to hunt down Arsenal in the Premier League title race and also strengthen the squad in their quest for European glory.
Meanwhile, in London, Chelsea are in dire need of an experienced centre-back who can step in and put an end to the costly defensive errors that have plagued their season. Securing a proven defender should be high on the Blues’ list of priorities, and watching the Marc Guehi to Manchester City transfer go through will only heighten the frustration among Chelsea supporters.
The decision not to seriously contest his signature could be seen as another missed opportunity to address a glaring weakness at the heart of the defence, further fueling concerns about the club’s direction and ambition.
Two Reasons Why The Blues Will Regret Not Competing For The Crystal Palace Defender
1. Upgrade To The Current Crop of Defenders
Since arriving at Chelsea in May 2022, Wesley Fofana has struggled for continuity, making a limited number of appearances. Over more than three years, the French defender has featured in just 45 matches across all competitions, largely due to recurring injury setbacks and ongoing fitness issues.
His problems peaked in the 2023/24 campaign, when an ACL injury ruled him out for the entire Premier League season. Even after returning, a consistent run of games have been hard to come by, with his longest spell of consecutive league starts standing at just seven matches, achieved at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
Also, Tosin Adarabioyo has been earmarked as one of the weakest performers in Chelsea’s defence this season, with his struggles in one-on-one duels consistently exposing the back line and contributing to the team’s ongoing defensive instability.
French duo Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have also not been up to the standard required in a Blue shirt. Disasi is reportedly among the players considered part of the “bomb squad” – those whom the club are actively looking to sell or offload due to performance or fitness issues.
Benoit Badiashile, meanwhile, has been picking up minutes in a rotation role across the EFL, FA Cup and League this season, as he struggles to secure a consistent starting spot due to a combination of patchy form, fitness issues, and competition from other defenders in the squad.
In contrast, Guehi has been a constant presence for Crystal Palace since his move to South London, playing a key role in the side that lifted the FA Cup. Last season, he registered 44 appearances across all competitions and has already featured 24 times this campaign, taking his total to 150 games for the Eagles since joining the club.
The possibility of a Marc Guehi to Manchester City transfer move shows the ambitions of Guardiola and the City board and also highlights the urgency with which the Cityzens has addressed their defensive frailties.
2. Proven Premier League Experience
While rising through Chelsea’s youth ranks, he made just two senior appearances before being loaned out to Championship side Swansea City, where he spent two seasons gaining valuable first-team experience. He was eventually sold to Crystal Palace in an £18 million deal during the 2021/22 season and has since gone on to establish himself over five years as one of the club’s most reliable performers.
With his wealth of Premier League experience, he arrives as a valuable addition to Manchester City.
By not seriously pursuing him, especially given they had a matching rights clause and sell-on clause, Chelsea missed an opportunity to bring back a player who understands the club’s culture and is already an established, high-quality player in the league.
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Marc Guehi to Manchester City Transfer Highlights Chelsea’s Missed Opportunity for Defensive Reinforcement
Compared to Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah, many Chelsea fans would argue that he represents a clear upgrade on the club’s current options, and his arrival would have brought much-needed stability to the side. A versatile centre-back known for his leadership, composure, intelligent defensive positioning, and ability on the ball, he looks an absolute steal for Manchester City.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona were all in the race to secure his services, but Marc Guehi’s transfer to Manchester City shows why Pep Guardiola’s project is difficult for players to turn down.
His move to a direct title rival like City further compounds the regret, as a quality player they nurtured now strengthens a competitor.
For Manchester City, they have strengthened a key area that has proven to be the Achilles’ heel of teams aiming to go far in the Premier League title race.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Crystal Pix
Recording Date: 10.01.2026
