Manchester City have signed former Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi for £20m. The 25-year-old will provide much-needed depth and quality to the club's backline, particularly in the absence of long-term absentees Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker. Guehi is an accomplished young player who has previously played for Palace as a left-back or centre-half. He boasts excellent aerial ability and can also play on either flank. The signing comes at a good time for City, considering their recent form has been patchy.
With Pep Guardiola's side still competing on all four fronts, both players will bolster the squad for the long term. Guehi had the pick of numerous other clubs but chose City. Sources say this was not a knee-jerk reaction or panic buy - he is a player that City have admired for some time and would have pushed to sign in the summer.
Guehi has also shown his versatility playing as either left or right-sided centre-half in Palace's back three, and all three positions of a back three too. The signing will be viewed positively by fans given the defensive injuries City have suffered recently. Guehi competes strongly on the ground towards the left side of the pitch and is capable of using his body to tackle with both feet after stepping up into the opposition half.
The £20m fee for Guehi may seem modest, especially considering how much City's rivals are willing to pay for top-class defenders.
With Pep Guardiola's side still competing on all four fronts, both players will bolster the squad for the long term. Guehi had the pick of numerous other clubs but chose City. Sources say this was not a knee-jerk reaction or panic buy - he is a player that City have admired for some time and would have pushed to sign in the summer.
Guehi has also shown his versatility playing as either left or right-sided centre-half in Palace's back three, and all three positions of a back three too. The signing will be viewed positively by fans given the defensive injuries City have suffered recently. Guehi competes strongly on the ground towards the left side of the pitch and is capable of using his body to tackle with both feet after stepping up into the opposition half.
The £20m fee for Guehi may seem modest, especially considering how much City's rivals are willing to pay for top-class defenders.