Marc Guehi 'bullied' on deadline day after failing to follow Alexander Isak's transfer lead

Guehi

Rio Ferdinand has called out Crystal Palace for "bullying" Marc Guehi into remaining their player despite heavy interest from Liverpool.

And the ex-Manchester United defender has suggested Guehi could have made the move happen had he copied Alexander Isak's tactics this summer.

Guehi, 25, just missed out on a £35million deadline day transfer to Anfield after months of speculation. It's now expected the defender will leave either on a free transfer next summer or for a much lower fee in January.

His commendable conduct lies in stark contrast to that of Alexander Isak, who went on protest at Newcastle before completing a £130m switch on Monday.

And Ferdinand has questioned the actions of both players, as well as their respective clubs, while crediting Isak for achieving his goal.

Ferdinand

"Isak has muscled his way out [of Newcastle],"

"He's gone and said, 'Listen, I'm not gonna play. I'm sitting down.' He's caused a ruckus, he's got Alan Shearer pulling his hair out, he's got the fans going mad, they want blood. But he got his move."

Just about any Newcastle supporter will say Isak acted wrong from start to finish, refusing to train or join his Newcastle team-mates on their pre-season tour prior to landing his British record transfer.

Guehi, meanwhile, has kept Palace's fanbase on side by training and playing as usual but failing to get what might have been a once-in-a-lifetime move.

Ferdinand Continued

"On the other hand: Marc Guehi,"

"A wonderful, young, polite, respectable human being. I'm not saying that Isak isn't, because I know he is.

“I've heard he is. I'm not saying that. I'm just talking and telling you what I know, because I know Marc Guehi. Beautiful, young human being.”

"Dances and tip-toes around [a potential transfer]. Does things the right way. Does things the way the media says it should be done.

“He's quiet, unassuming, non-confrontational. The fans love this. This is what they respect, this is what they like.

“Transfer deadline day, [he] doesn't even get a move! He's stuck at Crystal Palace! They say, 'No, you're not going!'

"Because they knew he wasn't gonna fight, he's not that way. So the club bully him! So the club say, 'No, we can't get who we want exactly, so you're not going nowhere.

“We're gonna take that move out of your hands.' A dream move to the champions, [who] could potentially win three or four trophies this year.

“Taken away from a young man because he wasn't being bullish, and he wasn't being aggressive, and he wasn't being like the footballer the fans [come] to hate. Now tell me who's right."

Ferdinand proceeded to send a message to young footballers, urging them to do all they can to land their dream transfers if they want them.

However, it doesn't appear his morals align with those of Guehi after the Englishman refused to publicly chase a move away from Selhurst Park.

There's little doubt the Chelsea academy product could well have woken up on Tuesday a Liverpool player had he been more vigorous in his approach.

And it wasn't just about leaving Palace for Guehi, whom BBC Sport has since reported wanted "Liverpool or nothing."

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