Crystal Palace’s superstar duo of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi may have said their goodbyes after the Eagles’ 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Eze has been the subject of strong transfer speculation surrounding a move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while Guehi has been linked to Premier League champions Liverpool.
The England internationals have been pivotal to Palace’s success under Oliver Glasner in the past year, with both playing their hand in the club’s FA Cup success last season and triumph in the FA Community Shield earlier this month.
However, after Palace’s stalemate at Stamford Bridge, many have suggested that the pair have made their swansong for the south London club.
Eze appeared to shed tears while sitting on the bench after being withdrawn in the 84th minute. After full-time, he looked emotional as he lapped up the support from Palace’s away fans.
However, Guehi’s speculated farewell appeared to be more hostile.
Eze appeared to fight back tears on Crystal Palace’s bench during their 0-0 draw vs Chelsea
He also looked emotional while clapping the fans at full-time, leading many to believe he could have been saying farewell, amid links with a move to Tottenham
The centre back seemingly ignored his manager as Glasner called him over after the whistle. Instead, Guehi marched straight towards the tunnel, leaving Glasner visibly confused.
Afterwards, Palace striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta also appeared perplexed, and looked to question Glasner about what happened, while turning his head Guehi’s way.
Speaking after the game, Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards said of the frosty interaction: ‘Yeah, I don’t know if the manager asked him if he’s all right.
‘Maybe he’s got a little knock or something, but it was the reaction after when he went to Mateta, and then Mateta was like, “Is something wrong?”
‘Now we don’t want to speculate, but Mark Guehi is ultra professional, so…’
Daniel Sturridge also weighed in. He said: ‘I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s performative. I don’t know. Obviously, the cameras are there.
‘Is it a: “Oh yeah, I’m going to put my arm around you”, and that could have been what it was.
‘Guehi, he’s made a decision to go down the tunnel. They’ll have a chat when he gets to the dressing room. And I’m sure over the course of the next few days, we might find out what exactly happened.’
Marc Guehi appeared to snub Oliver Glasner and head straight to the dressing room at full-time
Glasner looked confused, in a moment that will fuel speculation over Guehi’s links with Liverpool
Palace striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta also appeared perplexed, and looked to question Glasner about what happened, while turning his head Guehi’s way
Regarding Eze’s emotional scenes, Sturridge said: ‘He’s on his own thanking them. It looks that way. I think the Palace fans love the player and admire everything he’s done for the football club.
‘For him, if this is the end, he’s been a fantastic servant for the team. I don’t know his routine, and that might be his routine that he goes and claps the fans after the game, but he looked emotional. He looked emotional.’
Roy Keane, meanwhile, looked onwards and upwards and welcomed the prospect of a big-money move for Eze.
The veteran pundit added: ‘Palace must realise where they are on the food chain. I think it’s a good sign.
‘The bigger clubs are coming for your players, and you’re getting £50, 60, 70million. That’s what’s going to happen. That’s credit to the players in the club.
‘You know the bigger clubs are going to come looking for you. I think it’s just part of the food chain, I’m afraid.’
