EBERECHI EZE and Marc Guehi both featured in Crystal Palace’s side for the Premier League opener at Chelsea today, which ended in a goalless draw, despite being linked with moves away.

Reports had emerged on Saturday that Eze was set not to be involved at Stamford Bridge as talks continue with Tottenham over a move for the England midfielder.

Palace captain Guehi also started for Oliver Glasner’s side. The 25-year-old defender, who is in the final 12 months of his contract, has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Following Palace’s victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield, Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted the speculation over Guehi’s future “needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”

Eze also played a crucial role as Palace won the FA Cup last season, beating Manchester City at Wembley.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner played down reports a deal was close for either player to be leaving Selhurst Park.

“Marc [Guehi] and Ebs [Eze] trained well the whole week. Then of course there is no reason not to start him,” Glasner told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

“[So] good advice to all the children who are watching us now [in this interview] — don’t believe everything you are reading in the newspapers.”

Eze, 27, joined Palace in 2020 from QPR and has gone on to win 11 England caps.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank is in need of creativity after chief playmaker James Maddison ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and with fellow midfielder Dejan Kulusevski also still sidelined.

After a failed pursuit of Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White last month, Spurs have this week ramped up their transfer activity, opening talks with Manchester City on Monday over the signing of versatile attacker Savinho and now in discussions with Palace over Eze.

Speaking after Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, Frank was asked specifically about Eze, but would not be drawn on the reports.

“I have that nice principle that I would like to speak about the players that are in-house, and all the other speculations I don’t want to speak too much about that,” the Dane said.