£60m England star says Chelsea duo are his idols as transfer speculation grows

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Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has had a strong Euro 2024 with England so far, has revealed his two idols as transfer interest intensifies.

England manager Gareth Southgate was left with a conundrum when Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, who is the Three Lions’ first choice defender alongside John Stones, pulled out of the squad due to a calf problem.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was the man who was chosen by Southgate to replace Maguire and the former Chelsea defender has started both Euro 2024 games so far.

Guehi was excellent against Serbia and dealt with United forward Rasmus Hojlund admirably during the 1-1 draw against Denmark.

Guehi names idols including iconic Chelsea forward

In an interview with BBC Sport ahead of England’s final group game against Slovenia, Guehi revealed who his idols were growing up.

When asked for his first footballing memory, Guehi said: “Watching Didier Drogba, being from the Ivory Coast, he’s all anyone ever talks about. He stopped a civil war in his country and was my idol growing up.

“As a defender, I looked up to Thiago Silva. (I admire) everything about him. It’s easy to talk about his footballing ability but more his life story and what he went through. Battling through illness and moving to Russia, so many things he’s overcome.

“Just him as a person and as a leader shows just how good he is.”

Guehi has been outstanding for club and country and this has, perhaps unsurprisingly, led to talk about a summer move for the 23-year-old defender.

Host of top Premier League clubs keen on Guehi

HITC have previously reported that multiple top Premier League clubs are keen on the defender, including United and Liverpool.

The Red Devils are keen on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite but the Toffees are demanding figures akin to what Josko Gvardiol cost Manchester City or Maguire cost United, so the Red Devils have alternatives in mind and Guehi is understood to be one of them.

Chelsea, Guehi’s former club, are also understood to be watching the Palace defender with the Eagles seeking around £60 million if they are to sell him this summer.

Arsenal and Newcastle United have also kept a watching brief and the list of sides interested will only increase the better he performs for the Three Lions.