Crystal Palace‘s search for a successor to Maxence Lacroix continues to gather pace, but the latest name on their shortlist suggests the club are thinking about both the present and the future.
Raphael Le Guen may not yet be a household name, but the teenage defender has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs to emerge from France.
The 19-year-old progressed through Brest’s academy after joining from Chateaulin FC and forced his way into the senior squad during the second half of last season.
His opportunities were initially limited, but he made the most of them.
After making his Ligue 1 debut early in the campaign, Le Guen finished the season with four consecutive league starts, including impressive performances against PSG and Strasbourg.
Standing at 6ft 6in, he combines an imposing physical presence with composure in possession, while his ability to play out from the back has drawn praise from coaches in France.
With Maxence Lacroix now set to complete his £52 million move to Chelsea, the Eagles are exploring several defensive options.
Le Guen fits the recruitment model that has served Palace well in recent years by identifying young players before their value rises dramatically.
Having made only a handful of senior appearances, Le Guen is still learning his trade. While his potential is obvious, asking him to step straight into the Premier League and replace one of Palace’s most influential defenders would be a huge challenge.
That is why the club are also assessing more experienced centre-backs capable of making an instant impact.
Crystal Palace deciding whether to pursue Le Guen deal after talks in London
According to journalist Bobby Manzi, Palace have not yet decided whether to press ahead with a move.
Manzi reports that personal terms are unlikely to present any difficulties after Le Guen held talks with Palace in London, but despite those positive discussions, the club have not yet made a final decision on whether to proceed.
He also said Palace are continuing to assess several ‘ready-made’ replacements for Lacroix before committing to their preferred option.
That approach makes sense, as replacing Lacroix is one of the most important decisions Palace will make this summer.
While Le Guen has the attributes to develop into an outstanding player, the club must decide whether they need immediate experience or whether they can afford to be patient with another highly-rated young defender.
The teenager would undoubtedly be one to watch for the future, but if Pierre Sage’s side are to compete strongly both domestically and in the Europa League next season, a more experienced defender may be required.
The coming days should reveal which direction Palace ultimately choose.
