Guéhi’s Steely Focus as Crystal Palace Prepares for Wembley
Tension is sky-high as Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi leads his squad into the most important match of their careers—the Emirates FA Cup Final against Manchester City, set for 17 May 2025 at Wembley. For the South London club, it’s not just another game. It’s a shot at history, and Guéhi is making sure the team doesn’t let the moment overwhelm them. He’s tuned into every detail, constantly speaking about the value of staying present and respecting every opponent, no matter their league or reputation.
This isn’t Crystal Palace’s first trip through high-pressure cup ties this season. Guéhi points to the club’s FA Cup journey, which included some real nerve-wracking battles against lower league sides. He explains that in those games, intensity and tactical focus mattered just as much as in the Premier League. "Some of our toughest fights came not against the big names, but clubs that brought unbelievable hunger," he said. "We learned that you can’t take a second off, especially when the energy is sky-high on the other side."
Manchester City stands as a monumental obstacle, but Guéhi keeps pulling the spotlight back to preparation and belief. He stresses not resting on the recent positive results against strong opposition like Aston Villa. Palace’s 4-1 win in February and the earlier 2-2 draw against Villa gave them serious confidence, but Guéhi warns against complacency. "We’ve shown what we can do, but this is a final. Everything resets. We have principles, yet we have to adapt to whatever comes at Wembley."
A Night of Drama, Music, and New Heroes
The spectacle off the pitch won’t be any less electrifying. The build-up to kick-off is loaded with atmosphere: DJ Tony Perry will be hyping the ground, the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines will bring the tradition, while the pre-match songs ‘Abide with Me’ and the national anthem get stirring performances from Sinead Ashiokai and Siena MBC. Wembley will be rocking before the players even step onto the grass.
For players like Eberechi Eze and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, this Final is a chance to etch their names into Palace legend. Eze’s cool, clinical finish secured the only goal of the match, while Henderson’s penalty save in the dying minutes proved the difference. That combination not only sparked wild celebrations but earned Palace their first ever major trophy. The victory over Manchester City isn’t just a feather in the cap—it means Europa League football next season and a ticket to the Community Shield. For a club that’s often been on the outside looking in, the celebration is about more than silverware. It’s a statement: Crystal Palace is moving up, and Marc Guéhi is leading from the front.
Write a comment