ALAN SHEARER RIPS INTO CRYSTAL PALACE STAR MARC GUEHI AFTER WOEFUL DISPLAY AGAINST NOTTINGHAM FOREST AT THE CITY GROUND
Alan Shearer has never been one to hold back, and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi found himself firmly in the firing line following a deeply underwhelming performance in Palace’s clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. What was expected to be a commanding defensive display from one of the Premier League’s most highly regarded centre-backs instead turned into a frustrating afternoon riddled with lapses, indecision, and costly errors.
Speaking in his post-match analysis, Shearer delivered a brutally honest assessment, questioning Guehi’s concentration, leadership, and overall authority at the back. For a player often praised for his composure and maturity beyond his years, this was a performance that fell alarmingly short of elite standards.
From the opening stages, Nottingham Forest appeared determined to test Palace’s defensive resolve, and too often, Guehi was caught reacting rather than dictating. Forest’s attackers repeatedly found space between the lines, with Palace’s captain struggling to organise the defensive shape or assert control in critical moments. Shearer was particularly unimpressed by Guehi’s body language, suggesting it reflected a defender lacking confidence.
“This is a centre-half who’s talked about as a future top-level leader,” Shearer said. “But today, he looked hesitant, slow to react, and far too passive. You cannot afford that in the Premier League.”
Guehi’s positioning was another major concern. On several occasions, Forest exploited gaps left behind him, forcing his defensive partners into emergency defending. Simple passes into dangerous areas went unchecked, while aerial duels—usually a Guehi strength—were lost at key moments. For Shearer, it was not just about technical errors, but a worrying lack of dominance.
“When you’re the main man at the back, you have to impose yourself,” Shearer added. “Win your duels, take responsibility, talk, organise. I didn’t see enough of that from Guehi.”
The criticism was echoed by Palace supporters, many of whom took to social media to express disappointment at their captain’s display. Fans pointed out that while Crystal Palace struggled collectively, Guehi, as the leader of the defence, had a responsibility to steady the ship—something that never truly happened.
What made the performance more glaring was Guehi’s reputation. Linked in recent months with moves to elite clubs and touted as a future England mainstay, expectations are understandably high. Shearer was quick to highlight that such praise comes with pressure.
“If you want to be mentioned among the best, then these are the games where you have to stand out,” he said. “Today, he stood out for the wrong reasons.”
Despite the harsh critique, Shearer acknowledged that one poor game does not define a player. However, he stressed that consistency and leadership are non-negotiable at the top level. For Guehi, this performance serves as a stark reminder that reputations mean little without regular delivery on the pitch.
Crystal Palace will hope their captain responds in the right way, but after such a public dressing-down from one of the game’s most respected voices, the spotlight will remain firmly on Marc Guehi in the weeks ahead.