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Marc Guehi has made fewer tackles than 111 other players in the Premier League this season. He may feel disappointed by this number, as he wishes it were higher. Guehi is expected to play in at least one of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, filling in for John Stones. He hopes to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s top team, but he actually prefers to fly under the radar. If he goes unnoticed, he believes it means he has performed well.
He takes inspiration from one of the best defenders, possibly ever. Guehi recalls a quote from Paolo Maldini, stating that if a defender has to make a tackle, it means they were not in the correct position to begin with. Guehi believes that if a defender can go through a game without being noticed, it means they are doing everything correctly. Of course, there may be situations where a last-minute tackle is necessary due to the flow of the game, but Guehi’s goal is to not be seen during the game, which he sees as a sign of doing his job well.
One of the most iconic images of a centre-back for England is of Terry Butcher during a battle, with blood and bandages, showing defiance. On the other hand, Bobby Moore took a different approach, often appearing impeccable and rarely going to ground, relying on his strategic understanding of the game. Guehi may align more with Moore’s style, stating, “There are many defenders who rely heavily on aggression in their game. However, there are also those who are more cunning in their movements and tactics for winning the ball. I believe I am a combination of both: I can be aggressive, but also use my intelligence.”
His analytical approach may endear him to Gareth Southgate, once a thoughtful centre-back himself, and Roy Hodgson. Guehi was not born until 2000 but his reference points include great left-backs who played for each of the Milan giants in the 1990s.
Guehi has established himself as a consistent member of Crystal Palace’s defensive lineup, but he prefers to remain unnoticed.
Part of the reason for this is Hodgson’s impressive career, which consisted of two stints at San Siro. Guehi was amazed when he mentioned Inter Milan and Roberto Carlos during a meeting. Guehi couldn’t believe that Hodgson had coached such a legendary player.
Guehi has had closer brushes with greatness. Chelsea never granted him a Premier League appearance but he was afforded an education at Stamford Bridge. Claude Makelele had a mentoring role to younger players and, when Guehi went on loan in 2020 and lost his place, he proved a valuable sounding board.
Guehi shared that his time at Swansea was difficult. He has not discussed it before, but many assume it was easy and enjoyable. He only played the first four games and then didn’t play again until after lockdown. Being away from home, in a foreign country, and on his own presented challenges and made things tough for him.
He managed to depart from Wales right before the lockdown was enforced. “Fortunately, I was able to return home just in time,” he stated. The guidance from Makelele, Paulo Ferreira, and Carlo Cudicini proved beneficial. “It’s always helpful to hear it from someone else,” Guehi shared. “Life and football can be tough, but you have to keep going, overcome obstacles, and stay resilient.”
Guehi has been selected to play for England seven times at the senior level and is expected to have an important role at Euro 2024.
He successfully returned to his position in June 2020, after a successful second season with Swansea. In 2021, he transferred to Palace for the sum of £18m. The following year, he made his debut for England, marking a smooth progression for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup champion.
However, Guehi has a unique background. In his youth, he would occasionally miss matches. While he primarily plays as a centre-back, he also has a passion for playing the drums. His father is both a musician and a pastor, and as a result, football was not always the top priority on Sundays. Guehi explained, “There were definitely times where I wasn’t able to play because God came first. That was the rule in my household.”
As he aged, his perspective shifted with the encouragement of his family. He stated, “They recognized that was the path my life was taking.” He added, “But even now, if I have the opportunity, I still attend church.” With the Euro 2024 championship game falling on a Sunday, there may be occasions when Guehi is unable to make it.
Source: independent.co.uk
