“Togetherness builds confidence,” says Marc Guéhi

In a press conference at England’s training base in Blankenhain, Marc Guéhi discussed his experiences and thoughts as England heads into the knockout stages of Euro 2024. The 23-year-old defender, who has shone brightly throughout the tournament, reflected on the team’s camaraderie, his personal journey, and the upcoming match against Slovakia.

What did Marc Guéhi say?

Guéhi, who has become a stalwart in England’s defence, expressed his pride in representing his country and the joy he feels from contributing to the team’s success. “It is not just the defence, but the whole team. We rely on each other, but they just want me to be myself, to carry on doing what I’m doing. We just support one another,” he said.

Since his £18 million transfer from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in 2021, Guéhi has been a revelation, earning praise from fans and pundits alike. His performances at Euro 2024 have only solidified his reputation, particularly in light of the initial concerns regarding England’s defensive capabilities.

The solidity of England’s backline, marshalled by Guéhi and John Stones, has been a key factor in their unbeaten run. The team has conceded only one goal, a long-range strike from Denmark’s Morten Hjulmand, which Guéhi downplayed as a rare moment of brilliance rather than a defensive lapse.

“You look around the camp and can see every single day the togetherness. That comes from years of building things and the extras like playing darts, or playing paddle, or whatever activity helps too. It shows on the pitch, when you are going through tough moments on a pitch,” Guéhi explained.

This atmosphere of mutual support and camaraderie, fostered by manager Gareth Southgate and senior players, has been crucial for integrating younger talents like Guéhi himself. “That is down to the manager and credit to the senior players that have been there for so long. Together, they allow players like me, who haven’t had that experience at this level, to come in and just feel like themselves,” he noted.

Looking ahead to the clash with Slovakia, Guéhi acknowledged the challenge but remained confident in England’s ability to progress: “I think Slovakia is just going to be another tough, tough opponent. We just must be ready for those challenges and match whatever intensity they’re gonna bring.” The prospect of a relatively favourable path to the final, avoiding heavyweights like Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal, adds to the importance of this match.

Guéhi also highlighted the significance of maintaining focus and composure as the tournament progresses: “What builds confidence is togetherness in performances and the fact that we haven’t lost a game yet, which is an important thing. All the other things you can’t really control. I think it’s important that we just control what we can control and that’s remaining calm, focused, and dealing with whatever obstacles are in front of us.”

As England prepares to face Slovakia, the sense of unity and confidence within the squad is unmistakable. The team’s defensive strength, embodied by players like Guéhi, has provided a solid foundation upon which their Euro 2024 campaign has been built. With the support of his teammates and the guidance of experienced leaders, Guéhi is poised to continue his impressive run and help lead England deeper into the tournament.

Stay tuned for more updates on England’s journey at Euro 2024 here at FromTheSpot, as we bring you comprehensive coverage of their quest for glory.