Marc Guehi described Manchester City as the ideal stage for development after leaving Crystal Palace, and the defender backed that view with a composed debut in a 2-0 Premier League victory over Wolves,
following a long transfer saga that previously brought a failed move to Liverpool close to completion.
The England international completed a 20m transfer to Manchester City on Monday, then went straight into the starting line-up at centre-back on Saturday, helping the champions secure a clean sheet against Wolves while settling quickly into Pep Guardiola’s possession-focused style.
Guehi delivered strong numbers in the first appearance for Manchester City, attempting more passes than any team-mate and almost all opponents, while only Rodri had more touches, underlining the trust shown in the new signing during the build-up phase from the back.
| Player | Team | Passes Attempted | Passes Completed | Touches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Guehi | Manchester City | 105 | 98 | 115 |
| Rodri | Manchester City | - | - | 117 |
The move followed a complex period for Guehi, whose Crystal Palace contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, drawing interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, while Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, almost completed a deal during the summer window.
"Very close, very close," he said of how close he was to a deadline-day move. "The medical was pretty much done, and then it got pulled at the last minute. " "So, yeah, I was quite close. " "I was OK. My mindset's always move on to the next one, but my mindset is what will be, will be. God's got a plan for me. Just move on to the next one. " "It was just focusing on what I could do for Palace. "
Marc Guehi Manchester City transfer influenced by Foden and Stones
Interest from several major clubs meant a significant decision for Guehi, and discussions with current England colleagues Phil Foden and John Stones, together with talks with Manchester City staff, played a central role in directing the defender towards the Etihad Stadium project.
"We've been talking for quite a while and obviously talked with different clubs," said Guehi. "I felt from conversations, through talking with some of the players here, that this was the place for me to improve, to get better, and just to help as much as possible. " "Phil and John, conversations with the manager [Pep Guardiola], conversations with [director of football] Hugo [Viana], so it's been great. "
Guehi admitted that the long-running uncertainty over the future became draining at times, with negotiations stretching across windows and several options, yet the defender stressed a wish to remain professional with Crystal Palace until an agreement with Manchester City finally arrived. "It feels like it's been going on forever. But, you know, I'm just glad that I got to move over the line. "
The 25-year-old now looks ahead to life under Guardiola at Manchester City, aiming to build on an assured first league outing and regular Champions League and title-chasing opportunities. "I'm really confident that this is the place for me to improve, to grow as a player. So I'm glad I could get over the line. "
