Rio Ferdinand criticises club for ‘bullying’ Marc Guehi out of deadline day Liverpool transfer

Liverpool target Marc Guehi was unable to secure a move away from Crystal Palace on deadline day but might have succeeded had he followed Alexander Isak’s lead

Rio Ferdinand has accused Crystal Palace of “bullying” Marc Guehi into staying at the club despite strong interest from Liverpool. The former Manchester United defender has suggested Guehi could have secured his dream move by adopting Alexander Isak’s approach this summer.

Guehi, 25, narrowly missed out on a £35million deadline day switch to Anfield following months of speculation. The defender is now expected to either depart on a free transfer next summer or for a significantly reduced fee in January.

His exemplary behaviour stands in sharp contrast to Isak, who downed tools at Newcastle before sealing his £130m move to Merseyside on Monday. Ferdinand has questioned both players’ approaches, as well as their clubs’ handling of the situations, while praising Isak for getting his desired outcome.

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“Isak has muscled his way out [of Newcastle],” said the former United captain on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel (via the Liverpool Echo). “He’s gone and said, ‘Listen, I’m not gonna play. I’m sitting down.’ He’s caused a ruckus, he’s got Alan Shearer pulling his hair out, he’s got the fans going mad, they want blood. But he got his move.”

Virtually every Newcastle supporter would argue Isak behaved appallingly throughout his summer ordeal, refusing to train or accompany the squad on their pre-season tour. Guehi, by contrast, has maintained Palace supporters’ backing by training and playing as normal, yet missed out on what could have been a career-defining opportunity.

“On the other hand: Marc Guehi,” Ferdinand continued. “A wonderful, young, polite, respectable human being. I’m not saying that Isak isn’t, because I know he is. I’ve heard he is. I’m not saying that. I’m just talking and telling you what I know, because I know Marc Guehi. Beautiful, young human being.

“Dances and tip-toes around [a potential transfer]. Does things the right way. Does things the way the media says it should be done. He’s quiet, unassuming, non-confrontational. The fans love this. This is what they respect, this is what they like. Transfer deadline day, [he] doesn’t even get a move! He’s stuck at Crystal Palace! They say, ‘No, you’re not going!’

“Because they knew he wasn’t gonna fight, he’s not that way. So the club bully him! So the club say, ‘No, we can’t get who we want exactly, so you’re not going nowhere. We’re gonna take that move out of your hands.’ A dream move to the champions, [who] could potentially win three or four trophies this year. Taken away from a young man because he wasn’t being bullish, and he wasn’t being aggressive, and he wasn’t being like the footballer the fans [come] to hate. Now tell me who’s right.”

Ferdinand then delivered a stark warning to aspiring footballers, telling them to fight tooth and nail for their dream moves if they truly want them. However, his stance appears to clash with Guehi’s principles after the England defender refused to publicly agitate for a departure from Selhurst Park.

There’s little doubt the Chelsea academy product could well have woken on Tuesday a Liverpool player had he been more vigorous in his approach. And it wasn’t just about departing Palace for Guehi, whom BBC Sport has since reported desired “Liverpool or nothing.”

Ferdinand’s assessment that Palace “bullied” their player into remaining is a view some supporters may share. Nevertheless, just as players have their aims in the transfer market, so too will a club hoping to retain a skipper who has just guided them to FA Cup triumph and a long-awaited return to European competition.

It’s Ferdinand’s claim that Palace have been aware for a considerable time that Guehi, who received support from former Palace boss Roy Hodgson, wishes to depart and could have secured a suitable replacement. The Eagles pursued a deadline day swoop for Brighton centre-back Igor Julio, but the Brazilian chose to join West Ham on loan instead.

Palace did bring in 19-year-old defender Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse on Monday, but the youngster is a development player and won’t be prepared to step into Guehi’s shoes straight away. At the very least, the talent will have at least four months to study under Guehi before Liverpool probably return for the England international next year.

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