After a summer when the noise around the transfer window threatened to reach deafening levels, with players forcing moves through by going on strike and releasing angry statements on social media, it was refreshing to see Marc Guéhi do his talking on the pitch during England’s thrashing of Serbia on Tuesday.
The defender’s understated brilliance during an impeccable team performance in Belgrade was nothing new. Guéhi is a fine player, so smooth in everything he does on and off the ball. It is why Liverpool wanted to sign him. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old it is also why he became the main character in one of the transfer window’s biggest stories when Crystal Palace ended weeks of uncertainty by refusing to sell him to the Premier League champions on deadline day.
The frustration was immense. Guéhi had completed his Liverpool medical. He had neither sought the limelight nor threatened to down tools. He remained the consummate professional, even marking what most assumed would be his final appearance for Palace by scoring a stunning goal in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Yet with Palace unnerved by Oliver Glasner making it clear his future as their manager would be up in the air if Guéhi were sold the deal was called off. Eberechi Eze realised his dream, leaving for Arsenal, but with Eze gone Guéhi ended up paying the price for Palace’s desire to keep Glasner happy.
Palace’s predicament was not Guéhi’s problem. He is entitled to make his career his priority. Guéhi wants to play at the highest level. He proved he belonged there at Euro 2024 and knows his worth. Being denied the chance to represent Liverpool in this season’s Champions League was a blow and it would not have been a surprise if Guéhi’s head had been spinning by the time he joined the England camp for their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
Yet there was no public show of anger, no self-pitying statement, no indication Guéhi was about to go to war with Palace. Instead, he knuckled down and focused on convincing Thomas Tuchel that he deserves to be a regular starter in England’s defence.
Tuchel did not seem sold on Guéhi’s qualities when he took charge. There were whispers the head coach was not sure about him. Guéhi was crucial at the Euros, but he was on the sidelines when the Tuchel era opened with a partnership of Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa against Albania in March.
Did it unsettle Guéhi? He started England’s next game, a victory over Latvia, but almost gave away an early goal after a mix-up with Jordan Pickford. It was uncharacteristic. Guéhi had earned Gareth Southgate’s trust. Now he had to prove himself all over again to Tuchel.
It was too soon to panic. Guéhi starred for Palace as they won the FA Cup, then missed England’s sullen June camp. Others came in, but nobody impressed. There were questions over Burn’s distribution during the win over Andorra in Barcelona. Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah struggled against Nicolas Jackson when England were beaten 3-1 in a friendly with Senegal.
England’s defence was in a state of flux. Time has caught up with Southgate’s preferred back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. It was not ideal when Colwill picked up a serious knee injury during pre-season. He excelled for Chelsea during their victorious Club World Cup campaign. His defending has improved and his ability to play quick line-splitting passes heightens his appeal.
Tuchel needs his defenders to be comfortable on the ball. England have faced low blocks during qualifying and it requires them to be snappy with their passing. They have to quicken the tempo and avoid safe options. Their opening goal during their win over Andorra at Villa Park last Saturday came when Guéhi stepped forward and clipped a clever pass into midfield.
It had been a surprise to see him start as the right-sided centre-back. Tuchel had suggested Guéhi was competing with Burn for the left-sided slot, but it was Konsa who made way. Then again, Guéhi is adaptable. He plays on the left of a three for Palace, but is equally adept in a four. Little fazes him.
He has won Tuchel over. There was no question of dropping Guéhi for the intimidating trip to Belgrade. Tuchel put Burn on the bench, stuck with Guéhi and brought Konsa back.
It was the right fit. Guéhi and Konsa are quick, strong and good on the ball. They read the game well and are technically sound. There were some lovely moments from Guéhi during the first half. He was imperious in possession, spinning out of tight positions, carrying the ball, setting moves in motion. The back four connected with the midfield and Guéhi and Konsa did not give Dusan Vlahovic a kick.
The bonus for both was scoring their first international goals. More important for Guéhi and Konsa, though, was offering proof they could be England’s first-choice pairing at next summer’s World Cup. Tuchel was impressed. “He was the best teammate possible,” he said after being asked about Guéhi’s response to missing out on Liverpool.
Guéhi set the example for others to follow. Another season at Palace? Life could be worse. They are in the Conference League and look poised for another excellent season. It is a World Cup year and Guéhi will be playing every week. Sometimes there are benefits to staying quiet.
