Stepping into Marc Guehi’s position would be a challenge for most players at the best of times. For a 19-year-old whose mistake had cost Crystal Palace the game in their opening home UEFA Conference League game, the task was even greater.
Throw in that this was a match against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, where the demands of the supporters are greater and more is riding on the result than usual, and the pressure could easily have led Jaydee Canvot to falter.
Yet the opposite was true: he thrived. The Frenchman, signed from Toulouse in the summer for an initial fee of €23million (about $27m) with a further €3.5m potentially due in add-ons, was impressive in defence alongside his established team-mates Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards. But it was his work with left wing-back Tyrick Mitchell in shutting out Yankuba Minteh for much of the game that stood out.
The pair were excellent together, with Canvot demonstrating confidence and showing no signs of cowering from the poor pass which allowed AEK Larnaca to score the only goal of that Conference League game last month.
His talent on the ball is evident. That was something he demonstrated in the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool, but in that game he struggled at times with positioning and his rawness showed at times. There was no such problem against Brighton.
“From the first time we saw him in training, I knew how good he is and he was excellent today,” Mitchell told reporters after the game. “He won every one of his duels and was comfortable on the ball.
“He’s a dominant centre-back, always competing in every duel, athletic and can pass through the lines. They’re (Canvot and Guehi) both aggressive in duels and comfortable on the ball. If the ball goes past you or anything happens, they’re always there to clean up.”
Glasner spoke in his press conference before the Conference League game with AZ Alkmaar, and again after Brighton, of Canvot having the “hardware” to be a top player, but that it was their job to install the “software”, suggesting that he will improve after time spent on the training ground.
That is something to note as well; the teenager’s opportunity to develop his game has been limited by Palace’s relentless schedule, which has reduced the amount of contact time.
It makes his reaction from the mistake and this performance more impressive.
In the summer he was courted by Aston Villa, whose budget is greater than Palace’s. But conversations persuaded him that he would be better served playing in south London. The expected departure of Guehi, either in January or more likely when his contract expires at the end of the season, may have been an element of it.
Canvot told Glasner that he was comfortable on the left of defence, as a right-footed player. In the long term he could be Guehi’s replacement. Depending on the captain’s recovery from a bruised bone in his foot, which caused him to sit out the game, Canvot could have a chance of featuring more in the coming weeks. Certainly there will be opportunities again when the fixture list becomes even more gruelling following the international break.
Marc Guehi is likely to miss England’s November games with a foot injury (Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
“It was clear that if a centre-back needs to rest or gets injured he would be (the one to play),” Glasner told Sky Sports after the game. “It’s tough when the back three are doing so well. He said, ‘No, I’m patient and I’ll work hard’. He showed what he can do and it was a great game.
“The fate of a centre-back is that you can make a mistake and get punished. It’s important we support them and not drop them and we are convinced of his quality, his confidence and character.”
That character is striking. He speaks fluent English and has impressed with his willingness to bide his time, believing he will get more chances. He is well supported in that confidence by a strong-minded family, although he is decisive and independent.
Sunday’s game against Brighton was his full Premier League debut and he was unflustered. He has yet to fully understand the rivalry, but the change in atmosphere might have given him an indication that this was a slightly different game.
Glasner praised him for carrying the ball out from the back, something he did late on, only to kick the air when choosing to shoot. But that was something to applaud, not bemoan.
Considering the manager has demonstrated a lack of patience with Romain Esse, in particular, following mistakes, it is testament to Canvot that he has shown the attitude required to simply move on and work to the stringent demands placed upon him and the team.
Jefferson Lerma or even Nathaniel Clyne might have been preferred for their experience but unless young players are given a chance in situations like this, they will struggle to develop as quickly or effectively as Palace will need them to. It was a bold decision but Glasner was vindicated.
There may well be more mistakes if he plays regularly. Even here, there was one moment when he strayed too far from Mitchell and allowed a cross into the area, something he will be shown in video analysis upon his return from France Under-21 duty.
The key is to use errors as a learning experience. The evidence to date suggests that is what will happen. Palace believe they have found yet another extremely talented young player who can develop into a key part of their team.
It is too early to make any judgements on the merits of that, but this was an encouraging next step in a Palace career which has already juxtaposed difficult moments with outstanding ones.
