PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evann Guessand |
| Date of Birth | 01/07/2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Ajaccio, France |
| Nationality | Ivorian / French |
| Height | 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | — |
| Position | Forward / Winger |
| Preferred Foot | — |
| Squad Number | #29 (Crystal Palace), #21 (Ivory Coast) |
| Current Club | Aston Villa |
| Previous Clubs | OGC Nice (youth), Lausanne-Sport (loan), Nantes (loan), Crystal Palace (loan) |
| International Caps | 23 |
| International Goals | 4 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 World Cup in North America. Ivory Coast, the Elephants, were back on the world stage after a 12-year absence. For Evann Guessand, the 25-year-old forward from Ajaccio, the tournament was the culmination of a journey that had taken him from the streets of Marseille to European glory.
Guessand was named in Emerse Faé’s 26-man squad for the World Cup and made two appearances off the bench, featuring in the group-stage matches against Germany and Norway. Though his minutes were limited, his presence on the biggest stage was a testament to his rise.
Just weeks earlier, Guessand had achieved something unprecedented in football history—he became the first player ever to win two European competitions in the same season. He had started the campaign with Aston Villa in the Europa League, scoring twice in seven appearances before the club lifted the trophy in Istanbul. Then, in a remarkable twist, he joined Crystal Palace on loan in January and helped the Eagles win the UEFA Conference League, scoring in the knockout rounds and featuring in the final.
For the forward who had been a late bloomer, spending his early career in Nice’s reserves and enduring loan spells, the season was a validation of everything he had worked for. Two European titles. A World Cup. A double that no player had ever achieved.
Origins
Born on July 1, 2001, in Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica, Evann Guessand grew up in Marseille and developed his football skills in the city’s competitive football culture. He holds dual French and Ivorian nationality, having been born in France to Ivorian parents.
Guessand is the older brother of Axel Guessand, who is also a former French youth international footballer. The footballing genes run in the family.
He came through the youth ranks at OGC Nice, one of France’s most respected academies, making his professional debut for the club in January 2020. His early career was spent developing in the reserves—he made 25 appearances for Nice II in the Championnat National 2 and National 3, scoring nine goals. His progression was steady, and loan spells at Lausanne-Sport and Nantes provided him with valuable first-team experience.
The European Forge
Nice (2020-2025):
Guessand’s senior career began at Nice, where he made his debut in the 2019/20 season. Over the next five years, he developed into a key player for the club. His breakthrough season came in 2024/25, when he scored 13 goals in 33 starts, predominantly featuring on the right wing, and was named Nice’s Player of the Season. His performances earned him a move to the Premier League.
Aston Villa (2025-Present):
On August 8, 2025, Guessand signed for Aston Villa for a reported fee of €30-35 million (£26.3-30.5 million), with additional add-ons, on a five-year contract until 2030. He described the move as a dream: “This club is special. History, pride, passion, the belief. When I heard the club wanted me, I didn’t think twice.”
He made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Brentford on August 23. His first goal for Villa came on October 23 in a 2-1 Europa League defeat to Go Ahead Eagles. In total for Villa in the 2025/26 season, he made 13 Premier League appearances and seven Europa League appearances (six starts), scoring twice in Europe.
Crystal Palace (Loan, 2026):
On January 30, 2026, Guessand joined fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace on loan with an option to make the move permanent. His impact was immediate. He made his debut on February 8 as a second-half substitute away at Brighton, providing the assist for Ismaïla Sarr’s winner in a 1-0 victory that ended a 12-match winless streak. On February 22, he scored his first Premier League goal—a 90th-minute winner to seal a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He followed it up with Palace’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Zrinjski Mostar in the UEFA Conference League.
Ivory Coast National Team (2024-Present):
Guessand initially represented France at the U19 level, playing in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying rounds in 2019. He was then named in Ivory Coast’s provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his senior debut for Ivory Coast on June 11, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier against Kenya.
He scored his first international goal on March 21, 2025, in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Burundi. Originally named only in the back-up squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he was called up to the tournament squad as an emergency replacement for the injured Sébastien Haller. He appeared in four of the team’s five matches at the tournament, scoring in a dramatic 3-2 group-stage victory over Gabon.
He was named in Ivory Coast’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup and made two substitute appearances.
The Anatomy of His Game
Evann Guessand is a versatile, powerful forward capable of playing across the front line—on the right wing, left wing, as a central striker, or even behind the striker. Standing at 188 cm, he offers a significant aerial presence and is difficult for defenders to stop once he gets going.
In Possession:
Guessand is a direct attacker who enjoys picking up possession in tight areas and driving past defenders. He has an eye for goal and can produce moments of individual brilliance. His former assistant manager at Nice, Lilian Nalis, described him as “capable of pulling something out of the bag to make the difference.” In the 2024/25 season, his 13 Ligue 1 goals were complemented by his defensive contributions and work rate. His 2025/26 season in the Premier League was less prolific—one goal and two assists in 21 appearances—reflecting the challenges of adapting to English football. He also struggled with consistency, missing three big chances and converting only 9% of his shots.
Out of Possession:
Guessand works hard to press opponents and contribute defensively. His versatility is a key asset, allowing coaches to deploy him in multiple attacking roles.
Psychological Edge:
Guessand’s resilience and self-belief have been tested throughout his career. His ability to win two European competitions in one season and become the first player to achieve this feat suggests a player who rises to the occasion. However, his struggles at Aston Villa, where he lost his place under Unai Emery and was loaned to Palace, also highlight areas of his game that require consistency. Palace ultimately decided not to take up the option to sign him permanently.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League (Aston Villa) | 13 | 0 | — | — |
| Premier League (Crystal Palace) | 8+ | 1 | 2 | |
| UEFA Europa League | 7 | 2 | — | |
| UEFA Conference League | 6+ | 1 | — | |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL | 36+ | 4 | 2+ | — |
TABLE B: Career (OGC Nice)
| Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | Ligue 1 | 20 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 6 |
| 2024/25 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 13 |
| TOTAL | — | 90 | 20 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | 4 | 1 | Quarter-Final |
| World Cup Qualifying | — | 2 | Qualified |
| Ivory Coast Senior Career | 23 | 4 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Professional Debut | OGC Nice |
| 2024 | Ivory Coast Debut | vs Kenya |
| 2025 | Aston Villa Transfer | €35M move to Premier League |
| 2025 | First International Goal | vs Burundi |
| 2026 | UEFA Europa League Winner | Aston Villa |
| 2026 | UEFA Conference League Winner | Crystal Palace |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Ivory Coast squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has experienced a rapid rise, with his best football coming at Nice and his European exploits setting him apart. His breakthrough season at Nice—13 goals and nine assists in Ligue 1—earned him a big-money move to Aston Villa. However, his Premier League production has been modest, with only one league goal across two clubs in 2025/26. His international record—23 caps and four goals—suggests he is a useful squad player for Ivory Coast rather than a guaranteed starter.
The Present Tense
Evann Guessand is 25 years old and at a critical juncture in his career. He is an Aston Villa player following his loan at Crystal Palace, but his future at the club is uncertain.
The Aston Villa Story:
Guessand joined Villa in 2025 but struggled to establish himself in the Premier League. He was loaned to Crystal Palace in January 2026. Palace had the option to make the move permanent but decided not to take it up. He returned to Villa for the 2026/27 pre-season, where reports indicated he was given another chance under Unai Emery, but his future remains uncertain.
The Crystal Palace Story:
Guessand made a strong impact at Palace, with a debut-day assist against Brighton and a 90th-minute winner against Wolves. He also helped Palace win the UEFA Conference League. Despite this, Palace declined the option to sign him permanently.
The World Cup Campaign:
Guessand was named in Ivory Coast’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two substitute appearances, coming on against Germany and Norway. Ivory Coast were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Guessand has 23 caps for Ivory Coast and four international goals. He made his debut in June 2024, scored his first goal in March 2025, and featured at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Evann Guessand is the older brother of Axel Guessand, who is also a professional footballer and a former French youth international. The family has footballing roots, and Guessand’s rise through the Nice academy to European glory is a story of perseverance.
His decision to represent Ivory Coast over France, despite playing for France at youth level, was a significant moment in his career. His connection to his Ivorian heritage has been a defining feature of his international career.
Guessand has also been praised for his work ethic and his ability to bounce back from setbacks. His loan to Crystal Palace proved that he could perform in the Premier League, even if his long-term future at Villa is uncertain.
The Verdict from the Camp
Crystal Palace Official:
“A former Player of the Season winner at former club OGC Nice, and a double European champion – yes, a double European champion – last season.”
Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager:
Guessand was given opportunities at Villa but was loaned to Palace after a slow start.
Lilian Nalis, former Nice assistant manager:
“He is capable of pulling something out of the bag to make the difference. If he gets in front of you, it’s difficult for defenders to get him back.”
Statistic:
Guessand is the first player in history to win two European competitions in the same season.
Statistic:
Guessand has 23 caps for Ivory Coast and four international goals.
Statistic:
Guessand has one Premier League goal, a 90th-minute winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers for Crystal Palace.
Where Next?
Evann Guessand is 25 years old and at a crossroads. He is under contract with Aston Villa until 2030, but his future at the club is uncertain after a challenging debut season and a loan spell at Crystal Palace that did not lead to a permanent move. He has been given a chance in pre-season to prove himself, but the emergence of younger players and the presence of established strikers could limit his opportunities.
For Ivory Coast, Guessand remains a useful squad player with experience at two major tournaments—the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup. His versatility across the front line makes him a valuable option for the national team.
From Ajaccio to the World Cup, Evann Guessand’s journey is one of resilience, versatility, and historic achievement. The forward who became the first player to win two European competitions in one season has proven he belongs on the biggest stage. The next chapter of his career—whether at Villa Park or elsewhere—will determine whether he can fulfil his considerable potential.
