Evann Guessand
CRY
RW
Half-Space Orchestrator
Jul 1, 2001 (25)
Right
6'2"
174 lb
PalaceChallenged to earn recall
Guessand was omitted from Saturday's matchday squad against Fulham after coach Pierre Sage was unhappy with his performance as a substitute against Manchester City, per The Athletic. "They were not in the squad because I was not happy with their performance when they came on the pitch against Manchester City. They have the opportunity to show every week and maybe they will come back with us on Tuesday."
Analysis: Guessand's exclusion represents an early setback following his summer arrival, with manager Pierre Sage opting to leave him out on performance grounds rather than because of a physical issue. He was also omitted from Palace's Europa League squad, increasing the importance of domestic opportunities as he looks to establish a role with his new club. A strong response in training could put him back in contention as soon as Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Middlesbrough.
Appears for 27 minutes
Guessand generated one clearance in Friday's 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
Analysis: Guessand was on the field once again for Palace following his loan this offseason, as the forward played for 27 minutes against City, appearing for the same amount of time in their opener. However, he failed to do much against City, completing only two passes. He could start to work into more starting minutes moving forward, although he seems to be a rotational option at the moment.
Loaned to Crystal Palace
Guessand joined Crystal Palace on a season long loan from Aston Villa, with a conditional obligation to buy, the club announced.
Analysis: Guessand rejoins Palace after spending the second half of last season on loan there, helping the club win the Europa Conference League, though Palace had passed on triggering the option to buy at the time. He struggled to make an impact during Villa's preseason under coach Unai Emery despite featuring in all three matches on the club's tour of the Far East, and endured a difficult first six months at Villa overall, managing just two goals in 21 appearances. He adds offensive depth to Palace's attacking options, though he's projected to serve primarily in a backup role.
Not playing in Super Cup
Guessand (not injury related) won't play for Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup against PSG on Wednesday, according to Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic.
Analysis: Guessand wasn't included in the squad for Wednesday's match since he's pursuing a loan back to Crystal Palace. No deal has been reached yet, but both clubs are interested in making the deal happen before the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season.
Named in squad for Far East tour
Guessand is part of Aston Villa's squad for the club's preseason tour of the Far East, according to John Townley of Birmingham Live.
Analysis: Guessand returned from his post-tournament holiday facing an uncertain future after Crystal Palace declined to make last season's loan permanent, before training with the first team at Bodymoor Heath on July 27 to mark his return to the group. His inclusion in the traveling squad suggests he remains part of coach Unai Emery's plans for the time being despite the unresolved situation with Palace, and he's expected to continue competing for a role in Villa's attack as the tour progresses.
Returns to Aston Villa
Guessand will return to parent club Aston Villa following the conclusion of his loan spell at Crystal Palace.
Analysis: Guessand contributed one goal and two assists across 916 Premier League minutes combined between his time at Aston Villa in the first half of the season and Crystal Palace from January onward, also winning the Conference League with Palace and the Europa League with Villa to become the first player to win two European trophies in the same season. Guessand arrives back at Villa ahead of the 2026/27 campaign having made 20 Premier League appearances this season, with his future at the club to be determined during the summer window.
Set to lead front line
Guessand has been named in Ivory Coast's World Cup squad and is expected to provide manager Fae with a direct and physical forward option capable of contributing throughout the competition.
Analysis: Guessand ended the club season having spent time at both Aston Villa and on loan at Crystal Palace, contributing four goal and one assist across 35 appearances in all competitions. The striker's pace, aerial ability and physical presence give Ivory Coast a different attacking profile and his Premier League experience gives him the credentials to perform under pressure.
Makes bench Sunday
Guessand (knee) is on the bench for Sunday's clash against Brentford.
Analysis: Guessand passed his late fitness test after manager Oliver Glasner expressed optimism about his return and confirmed he would need to come through two training sessions before a final call was made, earning a spot in the squad in line with the positive update provided earlier in the week. The forward has primarily served as a rotational piece since joining the club, contributing one goal and one assist across six appearances, and a bench role represents the most logical first step in his return.
Could play Sunday
Guessand (knee) is a late call for Sunday's match against Brentford, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "But we hope that Evann Guessand returns to the squad on Sunday. It's looking good, but he has two training sessions to come through. We want him to get a few minutes, so he can be an option in Leipzig."
Analysis: Guessand is trending towards a return Sunday, as the forward is working on a clean bill of health as he trains the next two days. This will likely lead to his return Sunday, although the club will likely still subject him to a late fitness test to confirm his fitness. He started in two matches before the injury, although the forward has mainly served as a rotational piece this campaign, earning one goal and one assist in six appearances (three starts) since joining the club.
Training, not fit
Guessand (knee) is back in training but is not an option for Wednesday's match against Manchester City, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "Evann and Borna took part in the first part of the training session. We are working towards them returning against Brentford [on Sunday]. They will need a few minutes to get back into shape, of course. All the others are fine."
Analysis: Guessand is going to miss another match despite his return to training, as the forward still needs more time to recover. Instead, he will focus on making the team sheet when facing Brentford on Sunday, still looking to be an option for two games to end the season. He earned three starts in his last five appearances before the injury, potentially getting more time to end the season as they test his talents.
Ruled out Sunday
Guessand (knee) is ruled out for Sunday's clash against Everton.
Analysis: Guessand has been unable to recover in time for the clash against Everton, extending his absence to eight consecutive matches despite his return to training and his determination to be available after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The Ivorian forward's knee issue has not progressed quickly enough despite the club's daily monitoring of his condition, leaving his availability for the final fixtures of the season increasingly uncertain. His return will be closely watched in the coming days as the club hopes to have the forward back in contention before the campaign draws to a close.
Out against Shakhtar Donetsk
Guessand (knee) will not be included in the squad for Thursday's Conference League second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk despite returning to training, according to coach Oliver Glasner. "Evann trained today, but it's too early, so he doesn't make the squad tomorrow. We have to assess on a daily basis."
Analysis: Guessand's return to training is an encouraging sign, but Glasner's comments confirm the knee issue has not progressed quickly enough to make him available for the European fixture. The Ivorian forward had been pushing hard to feature in the second leg after missing Sunday's clash against Bournemouth, with the timeline ultimately proving too tight. The club will continue to monitor his condition on a daily basis, leaving his availability for the final stretch of the season uncertain.
Targeting Shakhtar return leg
Guessand (knee) will not be available for Sunday's clash against Bournemouth but is pushing hard to feature in Thursday's UEFA Conference League second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, according to coach Oliver Glasner. "Evann won't be available for Bournemouth definitely, but we hope maybe for the second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk and then, of course, until the end of the season. He's very motivated, working hard in rehab, and we know what injury he has, it's a very aggressive way that he can play a few games for us, but he wants this as well, so we want it, he wants it."
Analysis: Guessand has been working through an aggressive rehabilitation program with no adverse reaction in his knee, putting the European second leg in realistic reach for the French forward. Any involvement against Shakhtar would likely be limited to a few minutes off the bench given the length of his absence, but getting him back on the pitch before the season ends is clearly a shared goal between player and club. Crystal Palace will assess his progress through the week before making a final call on his involvement in the European fixture.
Eyeing second leg return
Guessand (knee) is eyeing a potential return next Thursday in the reserve fixture of their Conference League match against Shakhtar, according to manager Oliver Galsner. "Evann is progressing...and we were very aggressive with the rehab, so he's on the pitch, working well, there's no reaction in his knee.We're working towards the second leg that he might be available for the second leg for a few minutes. If we need this, of course, it can happen, we hope he's then available."
Analysis: Guessand is already looking to make some decent progress in training after a knee injury, as the forward is pushing himself for a quick return. That said, he now eyes the reverse fixture of their tie with Shakhtar for a return, meaning he could return in a week. However, if deemed fit for play, he is unlikely to see much time and likely to be available for only a few minutes of play.
Hopeful to return this season
Guessand (knee) is eyeing a return this season, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "Evann is out for a few weeks with a knee injury. Hopefully, he can return by the end of the season."
Analysis: Guessnad was already set to miss around a month of action due to a knee injury, and that would leave him with a return this season, although with only a few games to play. This is still positive, especially after earning a few starts recently. That said, he has only started in three of his six appearances this season while notching a goal and an assist.
Set to miss three to four weeks
Guessand (knee) will miss three to four weeks after picking up an injury during Crystal Palace's Conference League win over Fiorentina, according to coach Oliver Glasner, per Sky Sports.
Analysis: Guessand had been building momentum since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January, contributing two goals in 11 appearances, making this a frustrating setback at a critical stage of the campaign. The Ivory Coast international had started the previous two matches before the injury struck, and his absence will force coach Oliver Glasner to reshuffle the attacking options with Brennan Johnson and Yeremy Pino among the candidates to fill the void in the front line during his recovery.
Missing Sunday
Guessand (knee) is out for Sunday's match against Newcastle.
Analysis: Guessand is not with his team Sunday and will wait on a return, as the forward's knee injury is too much to play through. This does force a change for the club after two starts in a row, with Brennan Johnson and Yeremy Pino starting in the attacking portion of the midfield. That said, he hopes to only miss a match or two with the injury, looking to reclaim his starting role.
Dealing with knee problem
Guessand is dealing with a knee injury and will be assessed to determine whether he'll be fit enough to play Sunday against Newcastle United, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "We have to assess [Evann] Guessand's knee. He got a hit, and let's see - he could walk. He didn't limp when he left the game after the final whistle."
Analysis: Guessand was subbed off from Thursday's win over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League due to an apparent knee injury, and he'll have to be assessed to see whether he'll be available for the weekend. If he's not, then Jorgen Strand Larsen will be an option to start upfront.
Leaves Fiorentina game with issue
Guessand subbed off due to an apparent injury during Thursday's UEFA Conference League win over Fiorentina.
Analysis: Guessand left the midweek game with discomfort, though it remains unclear whether he picked up a relevant injury. The attacker has scored one goal and one assist over his last eight official matches played and is starting to establish himself as a regular option in the rotation. However, if he's not fit enough to feature in upcoming fixtures, there may be an opportunity for Yeremy Pino to return to the main lineup.
Scores first league goal
Guessand scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Wolverhampton.
Analysis: Guessand needed only a brief cameo to leave his mark. In his third league appearance for Palace, the forward came off the bench to score the winning goal and open his account for the club. With just one start so far, he has already recorded two goal contributions, adding this strike to the assist he provided on his team debut.
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