June 12th 2024.
England's upcoming Euro 2024 tournament has been a topic of concern for many, including former player Paul Merson. In particular, he has expressed worry about the team's defense and the inexperience of one player in particular - Marc Guehi.
As the tournament draws near, with England's first game against Serbia just days away, manager Gareth Southgate has a lot to deal with. Injuries and fitness issues have ravaged the back-line, with key players like Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier facing uncertainties. Additionally, the reliable center-back partnership of John Stones and Harry Maguire is now in question, as Maguire is out with a calf injury and Stones missed training due to illness.
In Maguire's absence, it is expected that Guehi, who has been impressive for Crystal Palace over the past three seasons, will step up. However, with only 11 international caps under his belt, Merson is worried about Guehi's ability to adapt quickly to the high-pressure environment of an international tournament. Despite this, he still believes that Guehi should start over other options like Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa, and Joe Gomez.
Merson's concerns stem from Guehi's playing style at Crystal Palace, where he is used to defending constantly on the edge of the penalty area due to the team's lack of possession. In contrast, England is expected to have the majority of the ball in their group games, meaning Guehi will need to be constantly alert and focused. Any momentary lapses in concentration could result in conceding a goal, as Merson points out.
However, Merson is also pleased that Guehi has been given the chance to prove himself at such a high level and believes that he and Stones should be the starting center-back pairing for England. Despite this, Merson still has worries about England's defense as a whole, stating that it is not their strongest area.
Guehi has already been given the opportunity to start in both of England's warm-up games, although his performances were mixed. But he is not the only Crystal Palace player in the squad, with Dean Henderson, Adam Wharton, and Eberechi Eze also making the cut. Merson believes that Eze, in particular, could be a breakout star of the tournament, with his skill and flair on the ball making him a potential game-changer.
In the end, Merson's concerns about Guehi's inexperience and England's defense remain, but he also sees potential in the young defender and his fellow Palace teammate Eze. Only time will tell if England's back-line can hold up under the pressure of a major tournament.
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