In-demand Guehi ‘chilled’ on future at Palace

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi says he is “so relaxed and chilled” about his future, as he continues to be linked with a move away from the club.

Newcastle United have made a third bid to sign the 24-year-old England centre-back, believed to be in the region of £60m, sources have told BBC Sport.

He has played 111 times for Palace since a 2021 move from Chelsea and impressed for England on their run to the Euro 2024 final.

Guehi, not speaking directly about the Magpies or a transfer, told BBC Football Focus: “If I had a magic wand to sort everything out in an instant I would, but I don’t.

“You can’t control any exterior noise. I just focus on my football and giving my best.

“I want to play as long as possible. If I could play to 40, great. I have stopped trying to figure out where I end up [in my career] because you can get too wrapped up in those things.

“I’ve had a few goals that didn’t go quite right, saying at this age I should be here. That’s a bit too presumptuous. Everyone has their own journey.”

Guehi was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to London as a one-year-old. He came through the academy at Chelsea and had a loan spell at Swansea before joining Palace.

“I’m really grateful to the club,” he said. “This club gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League, something so many kids dream of.

“For them to stick by me and have the belief in me is amazing, giving me the platform to develop and express myself.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish called Guehi a “superstar” and “generational talent” while discussing the possibility of selling him this summer.

“It’s humbling for someone as big as the chairman to say something like that, it’s really nice,” said Guehi. “I’m not sure I’m a superstar or generational talent but I’m really grateful for those words.”

Guehi played every minute in six of England’s seven Euro 2024 games, including the 2-1 final defeat by Spain, only missing the quarter-final against Switzerland through suspension.

“I thought I did OK,” he said. “I don’t feel I’m doing anything differently to what I do for my club. I’m doing the same things fairly consistently. It’s just done on a different stage.

“I just enjoyed playing the whole tournament. In the past I wouldn’t enjoy those moments – the media attention and even the atmosphere in stadiums – but this tournament I enjoyed every single moment.”

BBC’s Football Focus is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. Watch the show on BBC One on Saturday at 12:00 BST, or on the iPlayer.