Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has expressed faith in divine intervention, saying “God has a plan for me” after his planned summer move to Liverpool fell through. The defender’s teammate Maxence Lacroix revealed that the club’s Christian players started praying together during last season’s extraordinary run in the FA Cup.
Guehi saw his £35m move to Anfield fall through on deadline day and his contract canceled after Palace failed to secure a suitable replacement. The England centre-back’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, but he has informed the club that he does not intend to sign a new contract. This leaves Palace facing the possibility of losing their captain for nothing unless they sell him in the January transfer window, while Europe’s top clubs will be prepared to swoop in and negotiate a free transfer when he becomes available in the summer.
When asked by Sky Sports News about the failed move to Liverpool, the former Chelsea defender said: “I think everyone has the perception that it was difficult. It really wasn’t difficult.”
“It wasn’t difficult, because if I stay focused on what’s most important, it becomes easier. I know that God has a plan for me, and that whatever that plan is, it will come true someday.”
“But the goal and focus is always to play football and try to be the best that I can be. And fortunately, I’m able to achieve that with people like Max.”
Guehi’s father is a church pastor, and LaCroix is also a devout Christian who leads pregame prayers for the team.
“Yes, yes, we started last year,” explained Lacroix, who moved from Wolfsburg last year and returned to coach Oliver Glasner.
“So we said, ‘We have a lot of Christians here, so why not put the game in God’s hands, in the hands of Jesus Christ?’
“And we said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ And we start doing it. And it was complicated at first, but after a couple of games you start to see results.”
“I think we had an unbelievable season last year and we all knew we were benefiting. So we said, ‘Okay, let’s play for Jesus Christ.’ And this is what we’re going to do.”
Guehi added, “We believe in Jesus Christ, and it’s about living our faith. And as he said, it was hard at first, but thankfully we continue to do that.”
“Keep praying. We have continued to fellowship with each other, and the results have come. But that’s not all.
“It’s just about being with my brothers and showing that faith and showing that I want to play for his glory.
“And for all the glory and everything we’re doing, whether things are going well or not, it’s still the same thing. So it’s important that we just keep doing what we’re doing.”
