Marc Guehi is in no doubt that his decision to leave Chelsea last summer was the right one for his career and says the FA Cup means everything to clubs like Crystal Palace.
The 21-year-old will line-up against his former side at Wembley on Sunday and attempt to ensure the Blues endure a rare trophy-less season by knocking them out in the last four of this historic competition.
Since Guehi swapped Stamford Bridge for Selhurst Park, he has forced his way into the England senior set-up and become one of the best young defenders in the country under Patrick Vieira’s guidance.
A total of 30 starts out of 31 Premier League games this season serves as evidence and vindication that his desire to find a new home has paid off.
“I thought the decision to leave Chelsea and come to Palace was the right one in order to get that game time and hopefully show what I can do,” Guehi explained.
“Coming here didn’t mean it was going to be a given that I would play, I still had to prove myself, work hard, train hard, but it was definitely the club I thought would give me the platform to do so.
“Patrick’s definitely got me thinking about the game in a completely different way, both very tactically and on the ball especially because I have improved a lot in my decision-making.
“It is really hard at this level, a step up from the Championship, so every decision you make is a vital one and can lead to an important or decisive part of the game. He has definitely helped in that aspect.”
After a season and a half on loan at Swansea, Guehi signed for Palace on a five-year deal last summer.
It brought to an end a long association with Chelsea, who he supported as a boy, with cup king Didier Drogba “a role model” to the youngster during his early days in the academy at Cobham.
Now Guehi wants to make his own Wembley memories and believes playing at the national stadium during his England debut last month and for Swansea in the Championship play-off final in 2021 will prove to be “extremely valuable.”
He added: “It helps calm the nerves, for sure, and (now it is) familiar surroundings. Going into such a big game, it just helps you feel a little bit more comfortable.
“I’m a quite calm person but playing there is such a big occasion. I just hope come game time everyone is focused and ready to go.”
Guehi, who has regularly worn the armband this season, insisted facing Chelsea brings no extra motivation but talked up what the FA Cup meant to him and Palace.
The Eagles have twice been runners-up in the tournament, most recently in 2016.
“As players going into this competition, it’s massive and it means everything. For clubs like us to be in and around the likes of (Manchester) City, Liverpool and Chelsea, being in the semi-final is amazing,” Guehi insisted.
“The motivation is there for every game. I wouldn’t say just because it is Chelsea and because I grew up there, spent time there, that that gives me any extra motivation.
“The fact it is a semi-final for Crystal Palace, in the FA Cup, that’s the motivation in itself.”
