Marc Guehi is musically-gifted and still plays the drums in church… but not the England and Crystal Palace star is beating his own path to next summer’s European Championships 

• Marc Guehi has his sights set on next summer’s European Championships 
• The Crystal Palace defender has a real shot of starting for the Three Lions 
• It’s a three-team title race… Toney could lead Arsenal to glory: It’s All Kicking Off

Marc Guehi is happily playing to the sound of Gareth Southgate’s drum.

Rich in faith and bursting with ability, the musically-gifted England defender is beating his own path to Euro 2024.

Ahead of speaking to Guehi, this Mail Sport reporter was tipped off about the Crystal Palace skipper’s expertise away from the turf.

‘Yes, I play the drums,’ confessed the centre-back.

‘When I get time I go to church and play, it is great. (I learned) from going to church from a young age.

Marc Guehi is in with a shot of starting for England next summer at the European Championships

The Crystal Palace defender is now regularly called up to Gareth Southgate’s squads

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‘Loads of singing, loads of dancing. My dad (a pastor) is a musician so you just get on the drum kit and see how well you can do and that just stayed with me.

‘There were definitely times where I wasn’t able to (play football on Sunday’s) just because God first, in my house that was the rule. Luckily some of our games were Saturday, some were Sunday when we were younger.

‘As you get older it becomes your job as well as something you love.’

Luckily for Guehi, his parents understood when football became their son’s priority.

‘They knew where my life was going and they were fine but definitely now if I have the time I still go to church,’ said the 23-year-old.

Guehi’s faith has served him well; as has the guidance of his religious mother and father.

The defender is an absolute credit to his family. He makes a point of shaking everyone’s hand as he enters the room at England’s training HQ at St George’s Park before this interview commences.

He shakes everyone’s hands as he leaves. Polite and articulate, Guehi – who is of Ivorian descent – is a pleasure to be around.

John Stones (left) is expected to be England’s leading central defender while the position next to him is up for grabs, though the smart money suggests it would be Harry Maguire (right)

Yet it is his excellence on the field that remains his most impressive trait.

Barring any fitness issues, Guehi is virtually guaranteed of being on the plane to Germany next summer.

Not only that, he’s in with a genuine chance of starting the tournament. All being well, John Stones will begin Euro 2024 as England’s leading central defender.

But the position next to the Manchester City star is up for grabs. The smart money suggests Harry Maguire – as he has done for the previous three tournaments – partners Stones.

Guehi, by Southgate’s own admission, is rivalling Maguire. Not that the Chelsea academy graduate, in his own unassuming and humble manner, isn’t taking anything granted.

‘It is hard to even think about that (starting at the Euros) just because there are so many top players here,’ he explains.

‘To even try and put your name wherever is difficult. Ezri [Konsa] has been called up – a top player.

‘Fikayo [Tomori] is always here, obviously Harry. John will come back – there are so many players so it is hard to imagine.

‘Just coming here inspires me. There is competition all over, in every position. As far as being a centre-back, I try to improve every time I come here.

‘To learn and improve from those who have already been here. Each training session at a time. Each game at a time and see what happens.’

Guehi (second left) has another talent as he is musically-gifted and plays the drums

But while Guehi’s career soars to higher plains, it hasn’t always been so positive.

Footballers with musical talents 

• Petr Cech – Drums 
• Alisson Becker – Guitar 
• Alex Telles – Vocals, guitar, keyboard 
• Alexis Sanchez – Piano 
• Leighton Baines – Guitar 
• Slaven Bilic – Guitar 
• Eric Cantona – Vocals, guitar 
• Nobby Solano – Trumpet 
• Dion Dublin – Saxophone, drums
• Patrick Bamford – Violin, piano 
• Gareth Ainsworth – Vocals, guitar 

‘Not many people know but it was tough for me at Swansea. I have not spoken about it, everyone thinks it was plain sailing – I played the first four games and then I didn’t play up until after lockdown,’ Guehi – who cites former Chelsea players and academy backroom staff Claude Makelele, Paulo Ferreira and Carlo Cudicini as key influences on his career – confessed.

‘Being away from home, in Swansea, different country, on your own, there’s going to be challenges, it’s going to be tough.

‘Those moments were difficult, you take those moments, learn from them, try to move on and put them right.

‘I came from Chelsea, came with a lot of confidence, and my confidence almost gets knocked. The harsh reality of football is someone in front of you is playing and they deserve to play.

‘So as a young player, you have to carry on working hard and figure out ways to get in the team. I am grateful to God I got the opportunity.

‘It has made me stronger mentally. It is like building calluses but in your mind.

‘Going through those moments does help you in everyday life, everyday situations. You might have a bad game but you remember what you’ve gone through before, and you almost put that to bed and go I just need to prove myself the next game. Moving steadily.’

There’s been nothing steady about Guehi’s rise to prominence.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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