MARC GUEHI has been tipped to solve England’s Euro centre-back woes.
Boss Gareth Southgate is sweating on the fitness of first-choice Harry Maguire after the Manchester United star missed last weekend’s FA Cup final with a muscle injury.
Maguire will to sit out England’s first friendly warm-up against Bosnia in Newcastle tonight.
Fellow centre-back John Stones has had limited game-time at Manchester City and will be rested after reporting for Three Lions duty late following the FA Cup final.
That means Crystal Palace ace Guehi, 23, will get the chance to claim a Euro 2024 place.
He played alongside Maguire against North Macedonia and Malta last November before a knee injury ruled him out of the March friendlies.
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Now nine-cap Guehi is one of four Eagles stars in Southgate’s provisional squad alongside Dean Henderson, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze.
And former Palace centre-back Danny Gabbidon believes he has all the ingredients to be a hit in Germany and even win a summer move to a bigger club.
Gabbidon, 44, said: “England have some issues at centre-back, so places are still up for grabs.
“He was involved in the November internationals before the injury, so he has a chance. I don’t see why not.
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“He’s a fantastic player. He is only getting better and better and he’s one to watch.
“If he does produce good performances, then all eyes will be on him and clubs will be wanting to take him.”
England have two Euro warmups, with Bosnia followed by Iceland at Wembley on Friday.
Impressive showings in those fixtures could get Guehi a shot in the Group C opener against Serbia on June 16.
Guehi made his England debut in a 2-1 Wembley win against Switzerland in March 2022.
He came through the ranks at Chelsea before a loan spell with Swansea elevated his status.
Palace snapped up the defender for £18million in 2021.
Ex-Cardiff and West Ham star Gabbidon, who won 49 caps with Wales and is a McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador, added: “I’m delighted he is fit. He has been unlucky with injuries this season and he’s just come back.
“Now he’s built a great relationship at Palace with Joachim Andersen and he’s been capped by England.
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“Marc is someone who has developed fantastically well over the years.”
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Jack Grealish’s Euro 2024 place in jeopardy
By Martin Blackburn and Charlie Wyett
JACK GREALISH is sweating on a Euro 2024 place after a nightmare end to the season.
The £100million star celebrated Manchester City’s four-in-a-row title success on a bus parade yesterday.
But now he is battling with Tottenham’s James Maddison to secure a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon all look certain to go after excellent seasons with their clubs — while Bukayo Saka is guaranteed a spot.
But Grealish, 28, has struggled and his lack of match action for his club will be a big concern for the Three Lions boss.
The former Aston Villa captain has featured in only one of City’s final five matches.
That was a ten-minute run out in the 5-1 win over Wolves this month.
He was not thrown on at Wembley as the below-par champs desperately searched for a way back in to Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup Final defeat to rivals Manchester United.
City boss Pep Guardiola explained his decision afterwards by admitting the attacker has “struggled” this season.
He has challenged him to recapture the form from the back end of the 2022-23 season when he helped the club secure an historic Treble.
Guardiola said: “He will be back. He’s struggled this season — Jeremy Doku has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games.
“But Jack will be back at the level of last season — I’m pretty sure.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
