Crystal Palace are preparing for life without captain Marc Guehi, whose deal runs out in June 2026 and who is widely expected to move on next summer. That kind of exit usually demands a costly replacement. Oliver Glasner may not need one. On Sunday, 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot stepped into Guehi’s role for his first Premier League start and looked right at home.
Context matters. Palace blocked a summer switch to Liverpool after Glasner threatened to walk, but interest in Guehi has not faded, with heavyweights circling. In the meantime, the Eagles may already have their answer in-house. Against Brighton, Canvot offered a calm, composed 90 minutes that soothed nerves after Guehi missed out with a heavy bone bruise picked up late on in the Europa Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar.
Jaydee Canvot vs Brighton stats and impact
The numbers matched the eye test. Canvot completed 40 of 44 passes (91%), won two of three tackles, made two interceptions, produced eight clearances and added four recoveries. He split his ground duels (four won of eight) but never looked rushed, misplacing only four passes all game. For a teenager on debut from the first whistle, it was measured, tidy, and decisive in the right moments.
Beyond the metrics, he mirrored Guehi’s profile: cool under pressure, secure in build-up, and positionally sharp when Brighton tried to overload the box. Those habits reduce panic and buy time for full-backs to reset, little things that keep sheets clean.
Marc Guehi replacement at Crystal Palace?
It is early to make big declarations, but Canvot’s first look suggests a succession plan that saves millions. Palace’s captain leaves a leadership and performance gap whenever he is absent; on this evidence, the structural side of that vacancy can be covered. With Liverpool still confident and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also name-checked around Guehi, an internal option matters for both football and finances.
It helps that the pathway is deliberate, not accidental. Canvot signed from Toulouse in the summer for £23 million with a starting-profile skill set, not a pure project. Brighton was the first league start; the composure looked repeatable.
Oliver Glasner’s verdict and development plan
Glasner’s post-match read backed the data. He had “been happy” with Canvot’s display against AEK Larnaca despite a mistake, calling it part of a 19-year-old’s development. He highlighted why Palace moved for him: pace, size, and the “hardware you need as a centre-back,” plus comfort in build-up. There’s targeted work ahead especially attacking headers but the coach believes confidence will unlock even more, including carries into midfield.
He also cited an “excellent game at Liverpool” and training levels as reasons for trust. The message to the player was simple: step by step, become the best version of yourself, with coaching support and controlled exposure.
What this means for Palace’s summer decisions
If Guehi departs as the contract timeline and market noise suggest, Palace can pivot resources to other areas instead of overpaying at centre-back. Canvot’s Brighton sample isn’t a verdict, but it is a strong opening chapter: Premier League tempo handled, build-up assured, box defended with authority. The bonus? Upside. He’s already been tipped to grow into a £69 million-calibre player down the line if development stays on track.
Editorial takeaway: planning for tomorrow starts today. Canvot looked like a ready-made solution in a pressure spot. If he stacks performances like this, Glasner’s biggest summer headache becomes a far easier conversation.
