Patrick Vieira: Marc Guehi has the tools to become a full England international
Crystal Palace head coach Patrick Vieira believes Marc Guehi has all the attributes needed to become a full England international.
The 21-year-old centre-back, who joined in the summer from Chelsea for an ÂŁ18million fee, has played every minute of football under Vieira this season, forming a partnership at the back with Joachim Andersen.
Asked about the England U21 captain, Vieira said: “He’s a young player who wants to develop himself.
“He wants to really fulfil his potential, and his work ethic and his concentration is really good. This is why I believe that he has the attributes to be one day an international player. As a manager and a football club, we will give him the support that he needs to keep improving and to keep challenging himself.
“He is really calm, really composed. His competitiveness is unbelievable. He’s really calm but really competitive on the field. It’s really a pleasure for myself and my staff to work with him.”
Asked the difference between Guehi being able to step straight up to the first team, compared to Michael Olise, who has had to bide his time with a place on the bench, Vieira explained: “Because Marc had played more games in the Championship [with Swansea].
“As well, being at Chelsea, that helped him to develop himself a little bit quicker. But Michael is a really special talent, and he is starting now to be ready to challenge for the starting 11.”
With several first-team players away on international duty over the past two weeks, it has allowed academy players like David Omilabu, Jay Rich-Baghuelou and Malachi Boateng to take part in sessions.
“We used the international break to bring around 12-15 players from the academy to spend time with some of the first team players,” said Vieira. “It is a really good experience for them because they have a taste of what qualities are required to be a Premier League player.
“They are coming with excitement and happiness to learn from those players. We are lucky in this football club to have some really good professionals, and those young players can learn a lot from them.”
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