{"id":294143,"date":"2023-11-15T23:26:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=294143"},"modified":"2023-11-15T23:26:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:26:20","slug":"interview-marc-guehi-beating-his-own-path-to-next-summers-euros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/interview-marc-guehi-beating-his-own-path-to-next-summers-euros\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW: Marc Guehi beating his own path to next summer's Euros"},"content":{"rendered":"
Marc Guehi is happily playing to the sound of Gareth Southgate\u2019s drum.<\/p>\n
Rich in faith and bursting with ability, the musically-gifted England defender is beating his own path to Euro 2024.<\/p>\n
Ahead of speaking to Guehi, this Mail Sport reporter was tipped off about the Crystal Palace skipper\u2019s expertise away from the turf.<\/p>\n
\u2018Yes, I play the drums,\u2019 confessed the centre-back.<\/p>\n
\u2018When I get time I go to church and play, it is great. (I learned) from going to church from a young age.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marc Guehi is in with a shot of starting for England next summer at the European Championships<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Crystal Palace defender is now regularly called up to Gareth Southgate’s squads<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
\u2018Loads 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018There were definitely times where I wasn\u2019t able to (play football on Sunday\u2019s) 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.<\/p>\n
‘As you get older it becomes your job as well as something you love.\u2019<\/p>\n
Luckily for Guehi, his parents understood when football became their son\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n
\u2018They knew where my life was going and they were fine but definitely now if I have the time I still go to church,\u2019 said the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n
Guehi\u2019s faith has served him well; as has the guidance of his religious mother and father.<\/p>\n
The defender is an absolute credit to his family. He makes a point of shaking everyone\u2019s hand as he enters the room at England\u2019s training HQ at St George\u2019s Park before this interview commences.<\/p>\n
He shakes everyone\u2019s hands as he leaves. Polite and articulate, Guehi – who is of Ivorian descent – is a pleasure to be around.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
Yet it is his excellence on the field that remains his most impressive trait.<\/p>\n
Barring any fitness issues, Guehi is virtually guaranteed of being on the plane to Germany next summer.<\/p>\n
Not only that, he\u2019s in with a genuine chance of starting the tournament. All being well, John Stones will begin Euro 2024 as England\u2019s leading central defender.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Guehi, by Southgate\u2019s own admission, is rivalling Maguire. Not that the Chelsea academy graduate, in his own unassuming and humble manner, isn\u2019t taking anything granted.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is hard to even think about that (starting at the Euros) just because there are so many top players here,\u2019 he explains.<\/p>\n
\u2018To even try and put your name wherever is difficult. Ezri [Konsa] has been called up – a top player.<\/p>\n
\u2018Fikayo [Tomori] is always here, obviously Harry. John will come back – there are so many players so it is hard to imagine.<\/p>\n
\u2018Just 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018To 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.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Guehi (second left) has another talent as he is musically-gifted and plays the drums<\/p>\n
But while Guehi\u2019s career soars to higher plains, it hasn\u2019t always been so positive.<\/p>\n
\u2018Not 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\u2019t play up until after lockdown,\u2019 Guehi – who cites former Chelsea players and academy backroom staff Claude Makelele, Paulo Ferreira and Carlo Cudicini as key influences on his career – confessed.<\/p>\n
\u2018Being away from home, in Swansea, different country, on your own, there\u2019s going to be challenges, it\u2019s going to be tough.<\/p>\n
\u2018Those moments were difficult, you take those moments, learn from them, try to move on and put them right.<\/p>\n
\u2018I 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018So 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018It has made me stronger mentally. It is like building calluses but in your mind.<\/p>\n
\u2018Going through those moments does help you in everyday life, everyday situations. You might have a bad game but you remember what you\u2019ve gone through before, and you almost put that to bed and go I just need to prove myself the next game. Moving steadily.\u2019<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been nothing steady about Guehi\u2019s rise to prominence.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n