Chelsea tipped to hijack Liverpool and Real Madrid transfer by former insider

Chelsea could soon join the tug-of-war for Marc Guehi, according to former Blues player and coach Jody Morris.

Guehi is set to leave Crystal Palace when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The England international saw a move to Liverpool fall through in the final hours of the summer transfer window with the Reds expected to be in the mix for his signature again at the end of the season.

Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in Guehi as boss Xabi Alonso looking to trim the age of his backline.

Could Guehi return to Chelsea?

However, Morris – who coached Guehi during his time in the Blues’ academy – believes Chelsea could prepare a contract offer for their former star.

Asked if he felt Chelsea would be looking to re-sign the 25-year-old, Morris told talkSPORT: “I think so. I think Chelsea at the moment would be in for any player that is on the right side of, maybe, the age group where they still may have a little bit of value in the player after a few years.

“Whether Mark would want to then go back to Chelsea is another question.”

Guehi appears dead set on a switch to Anfield last summer and Liverpool’s failure to land the highly-rated centre-back now appears to have been a missed opportunity.

The Reds are in free fall having lost nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions and with Chelsea well placed in the Premier League and the Champions League following Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Barcelona, a move to Stamford Bridge could now be more enticing.

“The good thing about Mark… he’s got a fantastic family wrapped around him, he’s always been a levelheaded lad, bright, intelligent,” Morris added.

“I think he’ll make the best decision for his career, without trying to bring in the old sentiment value and stuff like that, but I imagine he’s got a number of options that will probably grow between now and the end of the season,

“So I think if Chelsea were in for him, I know that they were looking at him a while ago, if they are in for him, they’ll have a fight on their hands.”

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Morris was then probed on whether he had any inside information on a possible Chelsea offensive, to which he replied: “Oh no, I just think most people up and down the country know what a good player Marc is and Liverpool missed out – he’s exactly what they need right now.”

With few defenders of Guehi’s quality available on a free transfer, Morris believes Europe’s big hitters will be paying close attention to the Crystal Palace star in the coming months.

And that includes La Liga’s big hitters Real Madrid and Barcelona who have turned their attention to England’s brightest stars in recent seasons.

Battle at the Bridge

Chelsea turn their attention to a top-of-the-table clash with leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday knowing a win over Mikel Arteta’s side would leave the Blues within striking distance of top spot.

The Gunners have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 games in all competitions and Morris sees Sunday’s meeting as the ultimate test for Chelsea.

He said: “Huge, big test for Chelsea I think because they will be high with confidence after their performance against Barcelona.

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“In fairness, considering how up and down our form has been this season, the fact that we’re only six points behind Arsenal is a huge boost and I think there is still more to come from this Chelsea team.

“I think there’s been too many games this year where our form in the first half has been different. We look like a totally different team in the second half or individual errors that have led to goals which then change the swing of games or silly sending offs.

“We’ve had such an up and down season from a consistency aspect where in and around in second place is a huge boost.

“The performance against Barcelona is great to take confidence into what I think is the best team in Europe at the moment in Arsenal who will be a lot more solid than Barcelona.

“But these types of games are not really where Chelsea let themselves down, it’s usually against the lower teams.

“I think it’s going to be a huge game but Chelsea on their day can beat anyone.”

Este-wow

Brazilian teenage sensation Estevao has made quite the impression since his summer arrival from Palmeiras.

His stunning solo effort against Barcelona helped announce himself on the grandest stage and Morris admits Chelsea are luck to have him at their disposal.

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“I don’t think I’ve been as excited about a talent for a long, long time,” Morris continued.

“We were lucky enough to have a certain player in Eden Hazard who I think was the most talented player in a Chelsea shirt.

“The fans who used to go to Stamford Bridge will tell you about him and [Gianfranco] Zola from a talent aspect.

“The ceiling for Estevao is Eden Hazard levels because for someone so young, he offers a bit of everything.

“He works hard which is something you wouldn’t necessarily aim at some South American players known for dribbling and having amazing attacking skills.

“I think he’s got 11 goals and assists already. He’s scored in every competition he’s played in.

“He’s played in every game of the season so far. For me he’s one of the biggest talents in world football at the minute and we’re lucky to have him.”