Marc Guehi admits Jordan Pickford's England antics came as "a bit of a shock"
Marc Guehi has not just been one of the outstanding defenders in England’s campaign so far, he has been one of the outstanding defenders of the tournament.
The Crystal Palace centre-half is that rarity at Euro 2024 - an English player who has been spared criticism. Gareth Southgate ’s side conceded only one goal in their Group C games and that was a wonder-strike from distance.
And the strong and composed Guehi has been at the heart of their impressive defensive effort. But 23-year-old Guehi goes to great lengths to pay tribute to the wise, experienced heads who have made his transition to being a key England player so comfortable.
He does, though, admit he is still becoming accustomed to the verbals that are being fired by England’s last line of defence. Guehi says: “I would say I am not particularly used to Jordan (Pickford) - it is a bit of a shock at first. Just the amount of talking.
“But, actually, when you look back on it, he is fantastic. It’s constant communication, making sure you are staying alert and awake in a game.” If Guehi is in shock at Pickford, he is in awe of his central defensive partner.
“He ( John Stones ) is a fantastic person and someone who everyone in the squad gets along with. He’s almost like a big brother, putting his arm around you, taking care of you.
“I’m going off him. He’s leading it, orchestrating things and I’m just learning every single day. So it’s a joy to play with him.
“I cannot speak highly enough of him. Playing with John is a dream - he makes my life so much easier. I am just following in his footsteps.”
Marc Guehi of England makes a pass whilst under pressure from Kobbie Mainoo during an England training session
And Guehi has similar praise for the veteran of the squad, vice-captain Kyle Walker, saying: “His reading of the game is fantastic. He’s not just a one trick pony, he’s not someone who’s just relying on his pace.”
Considering many pundits - and, indeed, fans - were concerned about England’s ageing and injury-affected defence ahead of the tournament, the back five have been pretty faultless. But modest Guehi shies away from the plaudits.
He says: “ I am doing okay. It’s the first three games and I am glad and happy to be playing but that is not the aim. The objective is much bigger and it starts with Slovakia in the round of 16.”
England have the lowest xGA (expected goals against) figure at the tournament and that is just one of the statistics given to the defenders by the England coaching staff.
Guehi explains: “We get the information quite often, especially after the games, almost as an incentive I guess to carry on and make sure that standards remain high.” Guehi certainly has high standards for himself and that has been something of a problem on occasions in the past.
He says: “I say it every day, I get told it every day and I tell it to myself - don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m very, very critical of myself. From a young age I’ve always tried to make sure I was the best I could be.
“We (Guehi and Southgate) had a brief conversation about it after one of the last games I played. He was saying not to beat yourself up. That’s a big message for me in my career, for sure.”
But right now, if there is one England player who has nothing to beat himself up about, it is Marc Guehi.
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