Marc Guehi: Crystal Palace captain shrugs off transfer rumours to lead Eagles into Conference League proper | OneFootball

Eagles battled to a goalless draw in Norway

After the first leg of Crystal Palace's Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad, Oliver Glasner said his side would be in all types of trouble in the second leg without captain Marc Guehi, as rumours of his departure intensified.

Leading 1-0 on aggregate, Palace knew a clean sheet would be enough to get the job done against Fredrikstad, and they defended stoically with Guehi marshalling Palace's backline as they repelled a flurry of long throws and crosses into the box.

No player made more headed clearances than Guehi, restricting Fredrikstad to just one shot on target, as Palace made it 13 games unbeaten for the first time since October 1990.

The 25-year-old, who is the subject of interest from Liverpool, also provided a useful point of reference in possession, misplacing just four of his 96 passes on a night where Palace looked to contain their opponents by controlling the ball.

No player took more touches than Guehi, who made a timely block from Daniel Eid's long throw, while the only Palace player to complete more passes into the final third was Maxence Lacroix.

With Palace struggling to carve out chances to kill the tie off, Guehi held his composure as Fredrikstad grew in confidence. This was a game that hinged on concentration.

Guehi is into the final year of his contract and has always maintained he'd be happy to stay at Palace, leading the club into Europe, and see out his contract. Liverpool, though, remain interested heading into the final days of the transfer window.

Glasner, who has complained about how stretched he is for options, is desperate to keep hold of Guehi, and he may now get his wish with Conference League football confirmed.

Palace may not have been at their free-flowing best against Fredrikstad, with qualification the priority, but their defence ensured their chances of progressing were hardly in doubt.

Palace will face sterner tests than they did across two legs against Fredrikstad, as they embark on their first season in European competition.

However, if they are to live up to their tag as one of the favourites for the Conference League, they will rely on Guehi's leadership just as they did in lifting the FA Cup last season.