Crystal Palace have had to navigate several significant departures from their first-team squad over the past few seasons. The South London club has successfully managed to offload some of their brightest stars for substantial profits, with both Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze moving on in recent summer transfer windows to join European giants Bayern Munich and Arsenal, respectively.
This winter, however, the loss felt more personal as club captain and defensive mainstay Marc Guehi departed Selhurst Park. His high-profile move to Manchester City signaled his clear ambition to compete at the very pinnacle of the sport and challenge for major honors. Naturally, losing a skipper and talismanic figure in the middle of a campaign has been a difficult adjustment for the Eagles.
Why Guehi’s Departure Was a Major Blow
The England international was a cornerstone of what was a historic period for Crystal Palace. He was the man responsible for lifting the FA Cup at Wembley last May, leading Oliver Glasner’s side to a famous victory over his new employers, Manchester City, in the heart of the capital.
Guehi was an indispensable part of the tactical project Glasner implemented at Selhurst Park. During his tenure under the Austrian manager, he made 80 appearances, contributing six goals and six assists—demonstrating a dual threat that added immense value beyond his primary defensive duties.
Defensively, his metrics were elite. During the previous campaign, he averaged 4.3 ball recoveries and won 4.94 duels per 90 minutes. His distribution was equally impressive, completing an average of 3.32 long balls per game. Such comprehensive statistics explain why Glasner previously claimed it was “not possible” to find a direct replacement, particularly on short notice. Given his impact, the reported £20m fee Manchester City paid for his services may have actually done the Eagles a disservice.
The Star Now Worth More Than the Former Captain
Selhurst Park has increasingly become a destination where elite young prospects develop their craft, inevitably drawing the gaze of Europe’s heavyweights. While Guehi’s Manchester move follows this trend, Palace still retain world-class talent, with French center-back Maxence Lacroix emerging as one of the best in the current squad.
Described as a “sensational” defender by prominent scout Antonio Mango, the former Wolfsburg man has flourished under Glasner’s guidance. His importance to the team has become even more pronounced since Guehi’s exit. Lacroix has featured 43 times across all competitions this term, even stepping up to captain the side during their recent Europa Conference League victory over AEK Larnaca.
The 25-year-old’s underlying numbers this season provide a clear indication of his rising status. Lacroix currently averages 5.9 duels won per 90 minutes, outperforming Guehi’s average from last term and placing him among the top 21% of Premier League center-backs.
Considering these elite statistics and his central role in Glasner’s plans, it is perhaps unsurprising that his market value has skyrocketed. According to Transfermarkt, Lacroix is now valued at £34.7m—the highest valuation of his career to date. The fact that he is currently worth nearly £15m more than the fee Palace received for Guehi highlights the immense quality he possesses and suggests the Eagles have found a new defensive cornerstone.
