Crystal Palace has just pulled off a move that could shake up their season—and it’s all thanks to the arrival of Evann Guessand on loan. But here’s where it gets exciting: the 24-year-old forward isn’t just a temporary addition; Palace has the option to make his stay permanent, and if his track record is anything to go by, they might just do that. Guessand, a Corsican-born talent honed in the Nice academy, has been turning heads across Europe. After standout loan spells at Lausanne-Sport and Nantes, he truly exploded in the 2024/25 season, netting 12 goals for Nice and helping them secure a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1—enough to earn him the club’s Player of the Season award. His performances didn’t go unnoticed, leading to a summer move to Villa, where he made his full debut against none other than Palace earlier this season. But here’s the part most people miss: Guessand isn’t just a club star—he’s also a senior Ivory Coast international with 19 caps and three goals, including a crucial strike at last month’s Africa Cup of Nations. And this is where it gets controversial: Is Palace the right platform for him to shine, or will the Premier League’s intensity prove too much? Chairman Steve Parish is betting on the former, calling Guessand an ‘exciting talent’ who’s ready to flourish in South London. ‘His arrival strengthens our attacking options as we aim to push forward in both the Premier League and Europe,’ Parish added. Guessand himself is buzzing: ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I’m thrilled to play with my new teammates. With the quality we have, I think we can achieve something special.’ As he dons the No. 29 shirt, the question remains: Can Guessand replicate his Ligue 1 heroics in England? Only time will tell. What do you think—is Guessand the missing piece Palace needs, or is this move a gamble? Let us know in the comments! Everyone at Palace is eager to welcome Evann to South London and can’t wait to see what he brings to the red and blue.
