Mark Gehey: The rise of England’s “absolute gem” defender at Euro 2024 | Football news

When coaches, teammates and people who know Mark Geha properly are requested in regards to the centre-back’s strengths, his composure is often talked about.

So maybe it ought to come as no shock that the 23-year-old has carried out so properly at Euro 2024. One of many Premier League’s most promising younger defenders has eased onto the match scene and was arguably England’s finest participant in Germany. . Actually one among their most constant. Amidst all of the drama, he was a gradual, assured presence within the middle of defence.

Forward of the Euros, there have been critical considerations in regards to the high quality of England’s backline and the added concern that Harry Maguire – who all his critics imagine is the chief of this protection – has been dominated out by damage. However Gehey and his extra skilled centre-back accomplice John Stones helped Gareth Southgate’s aspect to the most effective defensive show of any crew within the competitors. On the different finish of the pitch, Southgate has larger issues.

Maybe typical of Geha’s character, when requested about his defensive stats and performances, he was fast to dismiss the suggestion that he was England’s finest participant and credited Maguire with serving to him settle at worldwide stage since his debut. in 2022.

However this modesty solely masks the willpower and drive of Guehi’s persona that has taken him to the highest of the sport and led numerous coaches in membership and worldwide soccer to call him the captain of their groups.

An England age-group captain and reserve captain at Crystal Place at 21, Gueye is a participant who leads by instance for his team-mates.

“I used to be instantly impressed by how mature he’s,” England U21 boss Lee Carsley mentioned when he appointed him captain. “The way in which he talks in regards to the recreation, the best way he impacts the gamers off the sector. The instance he units each on and off the sector made him a straightforward selection.” England head coach Gareth Southgate praised him for by no means wanting rushed.

These are traits which were there from the start. “When Mark was right here, he was calm, form, good, labored onerous and was an actual crew participant,” mentioned former Guehi Elementary College principal Edward Dove. Sky Sports activities Information.

It was a younger boy that Michael Beale knew properly. The previous Rangers boss was a number one coach at Chelsea’s academy and took Guehi – a baby from the identical south-east London property and first college as Invoice – beneath his wing.

Invoice met Guehi’s father, John, a minister, and even drove Guehi alongside the M25 to Cobham, the place the younger defender enthusiastically listened, discovered and developed amongst an elite group of rising stars.

“He was a really shy boy, however he got here alive on the sector,” says Invoice Sky Sports activities. “He was a really well-mannered younger man. I am unable to consider many prank tales!

“His self-discipline was dictated by his household, however although he was fairly small in comparison with the opposite boys, he was at all times very targeted, working onerous in each session. He by no means missed a session that I can keep in mind.’

This angle was mixed with the will to defend.

“He was at all times a defender,” Invoice recollects. “He was like a rash on the forwards, aggressive within the sort out. He favored to maintain his recreation quite simple after which cross it to the midfielders or forwards fairly rapidly and he hasn’t modified from that.

“You may see how aggressively he ‘closes’ and steals possession. However he is very calm when he is defending.”

At Chelsea after which on mortgage at Swansea and Crystal Palace, Gehey performed with Conor Gallagher. “We can not seem to depart one another alone,” the midfielder joked. “We’re finest mates.”

They’re now England team-mates at these Euros, and the depth of high quality on this Chelsea academy is a part of serving to to mildew them into worldwide gamers and main Premier League gamers. Declan Rice, who additionally featured for the Three Lions in opposition to Slovenia, was one other participant in that academy.

“Chelsea was and nonetheless is a improbable academy,” says Invoice. “We have achieved a variety of work round London to deliver collectively the most effective gamers in all areas.

“Have a look at the age group gamers in and round Marc’s: Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Fikayo Tomori, Ola Aina, Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Rhys James, Ryan Brewster, Callum Hudson-Odoi…

“If you’ve bought that mixture of gamers, the academy matches right here within the UK and once you’ve performed additional on and performed in Europe, the expertise they’ve had enjoying collectively and the way sturdy the bond these lads have has been improbable.

“They pushed one another. Apply was at all times the most effective video games of the week.

Like many of those gamers listed above, Geha needed to depart Chelsea to play common first-team soccer, however is now being linked with a summer time transfer that may take him to the Premier League’s prime flight. In response to rumors, “Manchester United” and “Liverpool” have an interest within the switch.

The centre-back is not the most important defender within the league at 6ft and is a right-footed participant enjoying on the left of the again line, however Invoice is assured Gueye will deal with this transfer to one of many largest golf equipment within the nation. displaying his technical abilities in workplace

“His studying of the sport and his athleticism offers him yardage at middle ahead,” Beal says.

“He reveals immense confidence to play on the left and his technical upbringing at Chelsea means he can use his left foot, though he’s dominant on the proper.

“If you see the groups line up, he is not the most important centre-back however he is bought a giant leap.

“Individuals are quietly realizing that we’ve an absolute gem in him.”

He could also be too humble to blow his own trumpet, however he is bought lots of people speaking about him now.