Patrick Vieira backs ex-Chelsea starlet Marc Guehi to play for England
Patrick Vieira backs former Chelsea starlet Marc Guehi to play for England as centre back continues to shine at Crystal Palace after his £18m arrival
- Marc Guehi has shone for Crystal Palace since his £18m arrival from Chelsea
- Patrick Vieira has backed the defender to play for England in the coming years
- Guehi is currently the captain of England’s U21s team and flying high at Selhurst
- Vieira said he is ‘really calm, composed and his competitiveness is unbelievable’
Patrick Vieira believes Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is destined to play for England.
Guehi became one of Vieira’s first signings at Selhurst Park when he made an £18million move from Chelsea in July.
The Ivory Coast-born England Under-21 centre back has played every minute for Palace this season and Vieira expects Guehi to become a senior international.
Marc Guehi has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Palace following his £18m summer arrival
He is captain of England U21s but his boss Patrick Vieira has backed him for the senior team
‘He really wants to fulfil his potential and his work ethic and concentration is really good,’ Palace manager Vieira said ahead of Monday’s return to former club Arsenal.
‘This is why I believe he has the attributes to be one day an international player.
‘As a manager and a football club we will give him that support he needs to keep improving and to keep challenging himself.
‘He’s really calm and composed and his competitiveness is unbelievable. It’s a pleasure for myself and my staff to work with him.’
Teenage midfielder Michael Olise, another summer arrival from Reading, could make his first Premier League start at the Emirates Stadium.
Olise impressed after coming off the bench against Leicester before the international break and scored in the 2-2 draw.
Vieira (above) says that Guehi ‘really calm, composed and his competitiveness is unbelievable’
Guehi (centre) tackles Jesse Lingard during a Carabao Cup clash for Chelsea against United
‘Maybe Marc had more games in the Championship with Swansea than Michael,’ Vieira said when comparing the development of the two players.
‘As well as being at Chelsea that helped to develop Marc a little more quicker.
‘But Michael is a really special talent as well and he’s starting now to be ready to challenge for the starting 11.’
The 3-0 home win over Tottenham has been the solitary victory in Vieira’s first seven games.
There have been four draws, including the last two games against Brighton and Leicester, and plenty of positives in Palace’s performances under the Frenchman.
‘At times I feel sorry for them because they don’t get rewarded with the work they do on the field,’ Vieira said.
Vieira also heaped praise on Michael Olise (right) who scored on his debut last time out
Guehi puts a tackle in during Palace’s draw with Premier League rivals Brighton in September
‘But at the same time we are in the process of building a team.
‘When you build a team with so many new players it takes time for that kind of philosophy to gel together.
‘We have made a couple of mistakes that cost us a lot, but we will improve that and get better.
‘When we put that aside I think the performance is quite good. We want to improve and there is still a lot to come from the team.’
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