Marc Guéhi overcame transfer disappointment to shine for England in their win against Serbia. His professionalism and on-field performance impressed manager Thomas Tuchel, solidifying his place in the national team’s defense and proving his worth despite a failed move to Liverpool.
In an era where transfer sagas often devolve into public spectacles of player discontent, Marc Guéhi's recent journey stands as a refreshing testament to professionalism and on-field dedication. Fresh off a summer window that saw him at the center of a high-profile transfer tug-of-war, Guéhi let his performance in England’s commanding victory over Serbia do the talking.
Guéhi's composed and assured display in Belgrade was not an anomaly. The young defender has consistently showcased his talent, impressing with his calmness both in possession and in his defensive duties. This consistent excellence is precisely why Liverpool pursued him so vigorously. However, the 25-year-old found himself unexpectedly embroiled in one of the transfer window’s biggest dramas when Crystal Palace ultimately blocked his move to the Premier League champions on deadline day, despite weeks of swirling speculation.
The frustration for Guéhi was palpable. A Liverpool medical had reportedly been completed, and the player had conducted himself with utmost professionalism throughout the process. He neither courted media attention nor threatened to disrupt team dynamics. In fact, he even marked what many believed would be his final appearance for Palace with a stunning goal in their dominant 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
However, Palace, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, grew increasingly anxious about the prospect of losing such a key player. Glasner reportedly made it clear that his own future at the club would be uncertain if Guéhi were allowed to leave. As a result, the deal was scuttled. Eberechi Eze had already departed for Arsenal, and Guéhi essentially became the casualty of Palace’s determination to appease their manager.
While Palace's situation was understandable from their perspective, it was undoubtedly a setback for Guéhi, who has every right to prioritize his career aspirations. Guéhi aspires to compete at the highest level, a fact he underscored with his stellar performances at Euro 2024. He recognizes his own value, validated by Liverpool’s strong interest. The denial of an opportunity to represent Liverpool in the Champions League was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow. It would have been understandable if Guéhi had arrived at the England camp for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia with a clouded mindset.
Yet, Guéhi displayed no outward signs of anger or self-pity. He issued no inflammatory statements and gave no indication that he was prepared to wage war against Palace. Instead, he channeled his energy into convincing Thomas Tuchel that he deserved a permanent place in England's starting eleven.
Initially, Tuchel seemed unconvinced of Guéhi’s abilities. Rumors circulated that the German manager harbored reservations about the former Chelsea player. Despite Guéhi’s pivotal role in the Euros, he found himself on the bench when Tuchel began his England tenure, opting for a defensive pairing of Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa against Albania in March.
Did this setback unnerve Guéhi? He started England’s subsequent match, a win against Latvia, but an early mix-up with Jordan Pickford nearly gifted the opposition a goal. This error was highly uncharacteristic, given the trust he had previously earned under Gareth Southgate. Now, he faced the challenge of proving himself anew to Tuchel.
However, it was premature to despair. Guéhi delivered outstanding performances for Palace, culminating in their FA Cup triumph. Although he missed England’s June camp, others failed to seize the opportunity to impress. Questions arose about Burn’s distribution during the victory over Andorra in Barcelona, while Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah struggled against Nicolas Jackson in a friendly defeat to Senegal.
England’s defense was in a state of uncertainty. Southgate’s trusted back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw were showing signs of decline, necessitating the emergence of new leaders. Colwill’s serious knee injury during pre-season further complicated matters, despite his excellent form for Chelsea during their Club World Cup victory. Colwill’s improved defending and ability to execute quick, incisive passes made him a strong contender.
Tuchel places a high premium on defenders who are comfortable in possession. Facing deep-lying opponents during qualifying demands quick and precise passing to unlock defenses. England’s opening goal in their win over Andorra at Villa Park exemplified this, as Guéhi stepped forward and delivered a clever pass into midfield.
His selection as the right-sided center-back against Andorra was somewhat unexpected, given Tuchel’s earlier suggestion that Guéhi was vying with Burn for the left-sided role. However, it was Konsa who made way, highlighting Guéhi’s versatility. He excels on the left of a three-man defense for Palace but is equally effective in a four-man setup. Nothing seems to faze him, and he has undoubtedly won over Tuchel. There was no question of omitting Guéhi for the challenging match in Belgrade. Tuchel made the right choice, benching Burn and retaining Guéhi alongside Konsa.
The partnership proved to be an ideal fit. Guéhi and Konsa possess pace, strength, and composure on the ball. They read the game intelligently and are technically proficient. Guéhi produced several moments of brilliance in the first half, displaying impeccable control in tight situations, carrying the ball forward, and initiating attacks. England’s play flowed smoothly, with the defense seamlessly connecting with the midfield. Guéhi and Konsa effectively neutralized Dusan Vlahovic.
The added bonus for both players was scoring their first international goals. More significantly, Guéhi and Konsa provided compelling evidence that they could be England’s preferred central defensive pairing at next summer’s World Cup. Tuchel expressed his admiration, stating that Guéhi was “the best teammate possible” in response to his failed Liverpool transfer.
Guéhi has set a positive example for others to emulate. Another season at Palace? It could be worse. They are competing in the Conference League and are poised for another strong campaign. With a World Cup on the horizon, Guéhi will be guaranteed regular playing time. Sometimes, maintaining a low profile yields the greatest rewards. The featured image can be sourced from Getty Images.