Chelsea: Enzo Maresca delivers double transfer update with key Marc Guehi admission | OneFootball

Blues want to re-sign Crystal Palace defender as they also ponder Trevoh Chalobah loan recall

Decisions: Chelsea could sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace or recall Eagles loanee Trevoh Chalobah

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Enzo Maresca has admitted his admiration for Chelsea transfer target Marc Guehi and has not ruled out a recall for Trevoh Chalobah.

Standard Sport understands that Chelsea are interested in re-signing former defender Guehi, who has entered the final 18 months of his current contract at Crystal Palace and has yet to agree an extension.

Chelsea boss Maresca was asked about that interest in Guehi as he faced the media before Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against fourth-tier opponents Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.

"The only thing I can say is Marc Guehi is a Palace player,” he said. “I like Marc for sure but he is not our player. But I like also the central defenders we have. I also like different types of central defenders in Italy, Spain and France but that doesn't mean we are going to buy a player.

"It is a normal situation I think when you have central defenders injured that the speculation is there. At the same time, there is nothing there."

Guehi’s current centre-back partner at Selhurst Park could also end up at Chelsea this month, with the Blues retaining the option to recall Trevoh Chalobah early from his season-long loan spell in south London.

The 25-year-old has been impressing with Palace under Oliver Glasner and could be the solution to that centre-back shortage in the event that the likes of Guehi prove unattainable.

"This is exactly the same,” Maresca said when asked again about a potential recall for Chalobah. “Unfortunately I have to give you the same answer. Trev is a good player but in this moment he is a Palace player, so we will see.”

Though Chelsea are currently without Badiashile and Fofana, they still have multiple senior centre-backs to choose from in the likes of Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo. Aaron Anselmino has also been recalled from his loan spell with former club Boca Juniors this month.

The versatile Renato Veiga can also play in that position if needed, while highly-rated young full-back Josh Acheampong also performed admirably in central defence alongside Colwill during last week’s 1-1 draw with Palace in the Premier League.