Marc Guéhi

Chelsea

Progressing through the youth ranks, Guéhi regularly featured for the under-18s during their treble-winning campaign in 2017. In September 2017, he signed his first professional contract, for three years. The following season, he helped the under-18s win a quadruple and reach the final of the UEFA Youth League. On 12 May 2019, Guéhi was named in a Premier League squad for the first time as a substitute in a 0–0 draw away to Leicester City. He featured as an unused substitute a further three times during the 2019–20 season. On 17 September, he was an unused substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Valencia in the UEFA Champions League. The following week, he made his professional debut in a 7–1 win against Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup third round. His second and final appearance for the club came in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United in the fourth round on 30 October.

Loans to Swansea City

On 10 January 2020, Guéhi joined Championship club Swansea City on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season. The move saw him re-unite with Steve Cooper, who had previously managed him in England's 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning squad. After being named as an unused substitute on two occasions, Guéhi made his debut in a 2–0 defeat to Stoke City on 25 January. He remained in the starting lineup for the next four games, but came under criticism after Swansea failed to win any of their last five games. Cooper backed the defender and stated "it's difficult for young…

Youth career

Guéhi captained the England national under-17 team at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2017. He played in every match at the competition, scoring an own goal in the opening 3–1 win against Norway. England went on to lose on penalties to Spain in the final. In October 2017, he was included in the squad for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. On 28 October, he scored the fourth goal in a 5–2 victory against Spain as England were crowned world champions. In October 2018, Guéhi progressed to the England under-19 team and scored in a friendly against Portugal. He also scored in 2019 Elite Qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Denmark. In August 2019, Guéhi was included in an England under-21 squad for the first time. On 6 September 2021, Lee Carsley confirmed Guéhi as captain of the under-21s.

Senior career

Guéhi received his first call-up to the England senior team in March 2022 as part of Gareth Southgate's squad for friendly matches against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. He made his senior debut in a 2–1 win over Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on 26 March. On 6 June 2024, Guéhi was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He played every minute as England topped Group C, partnering John Stones in central defence and keeping clean sheets against Serbia and Slovenia. He was praised by Southgate and numerous pundits for his performances at the tournament, with Micah Richards deeming him "calm and composed" and "a joy to watch",…

Guéhi has been described as very strong, and well positioned, although not particularly tall for a central defender. He has been credited for his coolness and maturity, and the strength of his concentration on the next game.

Addji Keaninkin Marc-Israel Guéhi was born on 13 July 2000 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and moved with his family to Lewisham, London, England, at the age of one. He attended St George's Church of England School in Gravesend, Kent. His father was a minister of a local church, meaning his childhood often focused on religion and education over football. He began playing in the Cray Wanderers youth system aged six and was coached by a scout from Premier League club Chelsea. After two years with the non-League club, he signed for Chelsea and progressed through the academy.