Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday wasn’t just about football—it felt like the closing chapter for two of the club’s biggest stars.
Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, both England internationals and key figures in Palace’s recent success, may well have played their final minutes for the Eagles.
Transfer Whispers Around Two Key Men
Eze has been heavily linked with a move across London to Tottenham Hotspur, while Guehi has been on the radar of Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions.
Together, they were instrumental in Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season and their Community Shield win earlier this month.
But after the stalemate at Stamford Bridge, fans were left wondering if this was indeed their last outing in Palace colours.
Eze’s Emotional Goodbye
The signs from Eze were hard to ignore. Substituted in the 84th minute, he appeared teary-eyed on the bench.
At full-time, he took a slow lap to acknowledge the away supporters, soaking in their applause with the kind of emotion you often see from players on the verge of a farewell.
Sky Sports pundits picked up on the body language, with Daniel Sturridge noting how heartfelt the moment felt.
Guehi Heads Straight Down the Tunnel
While Eze’s exit felt sentimental, Guehi’s looked strained.
After the final whistle, Palace boss Oliver Glasner tried to call him over, but the centre-back brushed past and headed straight for the tunnel.
Glasner was left looking puzzled, and teammates like Jean-Philippe Mateta also appeared unsure of what had just unfolded.
Pundits Split on Guehi’s Reaction
Sky’s Micah Richards speculated that perhaps Guehi had picked up a knock or wasn’t feeling right, while Daniel Sturridge suggested it could have been performative, given the cameras were on him. Roy Keane, though, wasn’t fussed.
He brushed it off with his trademark bluntness, suggesting that interactions like this are part of football and that Guehi’s departure could simply signal bigger things ahead.
A Reality Check for Palace Fans
The possible departures are bittersweet for Palace. Losing two of their best players would hurt, but Roy Keane argued it’s also a sign of progress.
“That’s just the food chain,” he said, pointing out that when bigger clubs come knocking with £50, 60, or 70 million bids, it shows the quality that Palace have developed.
What Comes Next
For fans, the uncertainty lingers. Are these really farewell moments, or just over-analysed reactions in the heat of the game? The coming days could provide clarity.
But one thing is certain: both Eze and Guehi have left a lasting mark on Crystal Palace, and their next moves will be watched closely across the football world.
