CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca has admitted he is an admirer of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
The Blues have this week been linked with a move Eagles skipper Guehi, 24, whom they sold to Palace for around £18million in 2021.
Maresca was asked about the link in Friday’s press conference ahead of the third round of the FA Cup against Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
“Only thing I can say is Guehi is a Palace player. I like Marc for sure, but he is not our player,” Maresca said. “I also like the central defenders we have. I also like central defenders in Italy, Spain, in France, but does not mean we are going to buy those players.
“Normal situation when you have central defender injury that speculation is there, but there is nothing.”
There have been suggestions Chelsea could recall Trevoh Chalobah, who is on loan at Selhurst Park, and use him to try to tempt Palace into a deal for £70million-rated Guehi.
“This is exactly the same,” Maresca said. “I have to give you the same answer. Trev is a good player, but also a Palace player, so we will see.”
Maresca is set to give a number of fringe players action against Morecambe, who are 23rd in League Two.
Reece James and Romeo Lavia are available. Wesley Fofana, Benoit] Badiashile and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are out.
Fofana was initially ruled out for the season, but posted on social media that he could be back within weeks.
Maresca said: “We speak the same language in terms of way we communicate between each other in English and French. It has been quite clear.
“I speak with Wes about the twelve to sixteen weeks the club mention to me, it is the situation. Wes is thinking he can recover sooner than that. We would all be happy if we could receive him for tomorrow, but we will see.
“There is no problem. I just say what the medical staff tell me. Wes is thinking he can recover quicker than that. We are all happy if Wes is back as soon as possible.”
