Marc Guehi praised the affect of fellow England defender John Stones throughout his time at Euro 2024, labelling his defensive companion as “a giant brother”.
England secured high spot in Group C following their 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne, establishing a gathering with Slovakia this Sunday for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Guehi, who began each group recreation for Gareth Southgate, seamlessly slotted into England’s again 4 within the absence of latest event veteran, Harry Maguire.
The Crystal Palace defender has carried out effectively in Germany, placing his shows right down to the affect of Stones within the Three Lions’ camp in Blankenhain.
“I’d say credit score to him. Not solely is he a incredible participant, he’s a high individual, somebody that I believe everybody within the squad will get together with,” mentioned Guehi.
“And he’s fixed, I’d say, nearly like a giant brother, placing his arm round you, taking good care of you, have you learnt what I imply?
“However yeah, I’m going off him in a method. He’s main it, he’s orchestrating issues, and I’m simply studying off him each single day, so it’s a pleasure to play with him.”
“The job’s not completed. It’s necessary we maintain constructing.” pic.twitter.com/tYSyE1LISZ
— England (@England) June 27, 2024
A lot was manufactured from England’s defensive choices heading into the Euros, with Stones’ long-term defensive companion Maguire not named within the ultimate 26-man squad.
With the absence of the Manchester United defender, Southgate’s centre-back choices forward of the event had made simply 36 appearances for his or her nation, with Stones having achieved extra caps (75) than Joe Gomez (15), Guehi (11), Lewis Dunk (6) and Ezri Konsa (4) mixed.
“Yeah we get the knowledge very often to be truthful, particularly after the video games,” Guehi mentioned on the pre-tournament speak of England’s defence being a weak hyperlink.
“Nearly as an incentive, I assume to hold on to make it possible for requirements stay excessive, however yeah, like I mentioned, it’s undoubtedly a collective, it’s not simply the again 4, for certain it’s all the workforce which are enjoying a component on this.”
In latest main tournaments, England have been famend for his or her defensive stability and have saved two clear sheets at Euro 2024 to date.
Throughout the final two European Championship tournaments, England have saved extra clear sheets than every other facet (seven in 10 video games). All seven of these have been achieved with Jordan Pickford in purpose.
The one shot stoppers with extra clear sheets on the event are Spain’s Iker Casillas (9), Netherlands’ Edwin van der Sar (8) and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon (8).
“Yeah I’d say I’m not notably used to Jordan to be sincere, I believe it’s a little bit of a shock at first, however truly, if you look again on it, he’s incredible,” Guehi mentioned.
“Fixed communication, continuously ensuring that you just’re staying alert and also you’re awake within the recreation. Such as you say, his clear sheet report speaks for itself. He’s actually a high goalkeeper.”
