‘So composed’ – Marc Guehi delivers verdict on Adam Wharton’s England debut

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guéhi had nothing but praise for Adam Wharton after the midfielder made his full debut for the senior national side on Monday night in their 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Newcastle.

Guehi represented England from U16 to U21 level from 2015-21 before moving up to the senior side himself in March 2022 and singled out his 20-year-old team-mate – who only made his U20 debut in November 2023 and U21 debut last March – for his rapid progression into Gareth Southgate’s side.

“Adam making his debut today is fantastic, he just looked so composed,” said Guehi to the South London Press. “He just looked comfortable. It looked like he’s been playing [for England] forever.

“Not much,” added Guehi about if his teammate needed any guidance from him about progression through the England ranks. “ I don’t think he needs it too much like you saw.”

For the first time since 1991, four Crystal Palace players were named in an England matchday squad with Guehi and Wharton joined by Ebere Eze, making his first start, alongside unused substitute, goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

“They’ve all done really well. I’m just really happy for all of them,” said Guehi about the quadruple call-up of Palace players and their work in training and around the matchday. “Ebs did really well. I’m just really happy for them.”

The game was the first of two ‘send-off’ games for England before their European Championship campaign in Germany this summer, with the current squad of 33 set to be cut to 26 after their second friendly against Iceland on Friday at Wembley.

And for Guéhi, who was booked in the first half and was subbed off midway through the second, it was important to get some much-needed minutes under his belt in his favoured central defensive position after playing just three times since an injury in February, which included playing in central midfield for his final Eagles game of the season, against Aston Villa.

“It happens, it’s football, it’s all good,” said Guehi with a smile about taking a booking for the team after receiving a short pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold. “I’m just glad I could play and just find some rhythm again. I just need to find some rhythm. I guess. It’s been a while. I haven’t even played in my position [recently].

“It was good to be out there in front of the fans,” he added about playing in front of 50,000 fans in the north-east.

“I thought they were amazing and really helped us out; it was a good first game for us to hopefully carry on [into the European Championships]. Speaking mostly for the team, it’s just good to get some familiarity with each other again, playing together – that’s the main thing.”