The Hard Tackle lists three players Crystal Palace should pursue to replace Marc Guehi, who will depart from Selhurst Park next year.

Crystal Palace’s defensive plans have loomed large over Selhurst Park since the summer transfer window closed. The Eagles made no secret of their desire to sign a new centre-back, with Marc Guehi’s future hanging in the balance amid strong interest from Liverpool.

The South London outfit were reportedly ready to sanction the move, but their failure to secure an adequate replacement forced them to pull the plug on a deal that appeared moments away from completion. Now, several months later, the inevitable has become reality. Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Guehi will depart the club next year, with Liverpool competing with several European bigwigs for his signature.

This development makes one of English football’s worst-kept secrets official. Guehi’s time in South London is drawing to a close. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, face the daunting task of finding someone capable of stepping into the England international’s shoes. The situation puts Palace in a spot of bother. Their recent recruitment strategy has leaned toward young, athletic defenders with composure on the ball, traits synonymous with Guehi.

Yet, with the Premier League becoming ever more demanding, the club may need to balance potential with experience to ensure stability at the back heading into the next campaign. With Guehi’s impending exit now confirmed and planning for the post-Guehi era already underway, Crystal Palace must act swiftly and smartly in the market. Here are three centre-backs they should seriously consider signing as his long-term successor.

Ousmane Diomande

We begin our list with a player who has been on Crystal Palace’s radar for a long time in their search for a Marc Guehi replacement. Few defenders have captured the attention of Europe’s elite clubs as rapidly as Ousmane Diomande. The Ivorian centre-back has been a standout performer for Sporting CP, combining physical dominance with technical refinement that belies his age.

At just 21, he reads the game with impressive maturity, using his anticipation and aggressive interceptions to neutralise threats before they develop. His ability to stride confidently out of defence and distribute incisively through midfield makes him tailor-made for Oliver Glasner’s desire to transition Crystal Palace into a more progressive, front-footed side.

Still, Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Diomande would be ambitious. Sporting have little incentive to sell, and the player’s €60 million release clause reflects his growing importance in Lisbon. To complicate matters, Chelsea and Liverpool are both actively circling, viewing Diomande as a generational defender worth heavy investment.

For Crystal Palace, landing him as a replacement for Marc Guehi would require not just financial creativity but also a convincing sporting project, one that promises regular football and the platform to develop into one of the Premier League’s best. If they can somehow pull it off, Diomande could easily become the defensive cornerstone of the Eagles’ next era.

Mario Gila

Our next pick is Mario Gila, who provides a more balanced blend of experience and potential. The 25-year-old Spaniard, who once came through Real Madrid’s academy, has quietly blossomed at Lazio, carving out a reputation as one of Serie A’s most consistent defenders.

Gila’s primary strengths lie in his anticipation and spatial awareness; he rarely dives into tackles but instead positions himself perfectly to cut out danger. Coupled with his crisp passing from deep and an admirable calmness under pressure, Gila offers the kind of technical assurance that would fit neatly into Glasner’s high-possession defensive structure.

However, Crystal Palace will have to move decisively to secure him. Chelsea, along with several other Premier League clubs, have identified Gila as a cost-effective target with top-flight readiness and a proven European pedigree.

The Spaniard’s contract situation in Rome could open the door for a transfer, but competition for his signature will be fierce. For Gila, the prospect of becoming a guaranteed starter in one of England’s most tactically flexible squads could be appealing. For Crystal Palace, his mix of composure, experience, and ball-playing quality could perfectly complement Maxence Lacroix at the back.

Charlie Cresswell

Finally, we name our third pick, Charlie Cresswell. In contrast to the continental targets, Cresswell offers a homegrown, high-upside alternative. The 23-year-old Toulouse defender has impressed with his commanding presence, aggression in duels, and natural leadership, traits that have long marked him out as one of England’s most promising young stoppers.

Cresswell’s no-nonsense defending and fearless approach make him a natural fit for the Premier League’s intensity, yet his composed distribution and tactical discipline show he has more than a traditional bruiser. The Englishman thrives in high-pressure moments, often leading his backline despite his age, and he would likely relish the platform Palace could provide.

Still, the competition won’t be any easier here. Liverpool and several other Premier League sides are known admirers of Cresswell, whose steady growth in Ligue 1 has put him firmly on scouts’ radars.

Crystal Palace’s pitch, however, could be compelling: regular starting minutes, a coach focused on defender development, and a clear pathway toward international recognition. If brought in and guided carefully, the young Englishman could evolve into the long-term defensive leader Palace need once Guehi departs.