'If You're Not Yourself...': Palace Defender Marc Guehi Opens Up On Pivotal Career Moment

Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 16:07 IST

The 25-year-old English International revealed that his loan stint with Swansea between 2019 and 2021, from Chelsea, proved to be a watershed period in his career.

Marc Guehi. (X)

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has been crucial in the Eagles’ historic season under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner, opened up on the moments that made him the player he is today.

The 25-year-old English International revealed that his loan stint with Swansea between 2019 and 2021, from Chelsea, proved to be a watershed period in his career.

Guehi, who joined the Chelsea youth academy in the year 2007 from Cray Wanderers youth setup, was sent on loan to the Swans, where he made a name for himself and honed his craft as a stopper back.

“I’d say my time on loan at Swansea was a big turning point," said Guehi.

“Coming from Chelsea’s academy and going to such an amazing club that made me feel welcome from the beginning… not playing right away, having to sit on the bench, having not to travel to games and experiencing the difficult side of football," he added.

“I wouldn’t say woke me up, put me in my place. That definitely helped me understand the world of football a bit better," the centre back said.

Guehi named Swansea teammates Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer as the two players who provided him with wise counsel and aided in his development as a player.

“They were adamant that I should just carry on being myself and excelling in that area because, at the end of the day, if you’re not yourself, what’s the point?" he said.

Guehi also touched upon the image footballers have to maintain in public in modern times, but added that he has he luxury to be himself at home.

“I’m a good waffler on the mic… making people believe you’re the bad guy or the good guy"

“Home is my sisters. Everyone is just funny. I get to be myself in a way, if that makes sense?

“I don’t know if I’m the only one in football that feels like this but sometimes — not all the time — you have to put on a show. It is such a tough environment — cut-throat, really difficult. There’s a lot of bravado, ego," he explained.

“It’s a good thing, but when I’m at home I can chill. I can be myself. They are my foundation. I love being around them."

“They’d call me a troll! As in, I’m always trolling. I’m not serious. I come across very, very serious but not to them. ‘Uncle Marc’… it comes across as serious but not too serious."

He also opened up on his favourite work of literature as he termed a work by Ray Bradbury his favourite and called Bradley Cooper’s ‘Limitless’ his movie of choice.

“My favourite book? I’d say Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury," said Guehi, who added Limitless starring Bradley Cooper is his preferred film.

“It’s set in a future world where firefighters don’t put out fires, they start fires. They’re burning books — burning all the knowledge in the world — and there is one firefighter who is questioning all that."

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United Kingdom (UK)

First Published:

August 23, 2025, 16:07 IST

News sports 'If You're Not Yourself...': Palace Defender Marc Guehi Opens Up On Pivotal Career Moment

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