Football Daily - Marc Guehi - The Football Interview

Episode Date: August 23, 2025

Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi in conversation with Kelly Somers. Marc Guehi tells his story of becoming one of the most wanted defenders in English football. He talks about the people that have inspired him in his football journey so far and why he still lives at home with his family. He reveals to Kelly what his ultimate career goal is and delves into what keeps him ticking as an elite level footballer, from reading books to the importance of faith.   Plus, he still wants to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a WWE wrestler. Timecodes: 0'10 - What football means to Marc and his first memories of the game 1'50 - How did he become a professional footballer? 2'25 - The turning point in his career 4'00 - Who has had a big impact on him 4'40 - The sacrifices his Dad made for him being a church minister 6'00 - What a day would look like when he was younger 7'00 - Why he still lives at home with his family 8'45 - What he likes to do to escape football 10'00 - DJ Marc Guehi 11'00 - How his best friends would describe him and his favourite book 12'20 - One match that would stand out in his career and what he's most proud of in his career to date 13'40 - How he'd describe himself 14'20 - How he'd love to be a WWE wrestler 15'00 - He'd like to be able to play until he's 40 Football commentaries this weekend: Saturday 23rd August PREMIER LEAGUE: Brentford v Aston Villa 1500 KO, live on 5 Live. PREMIER LEAGUE: Burnley v Sunderland 1500 KO, live on 5 Sports Extra. PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal v Leeds United 1730 KO, live on 5 Live. Sunday 24th August PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton v Brighton 1400 KO, live on 5 Live. PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest 1400 KO, live on 5 Sports Extra. PREMIER LEAGUE: Fulham v Manchester United 1630 KO, live on 5 Live.

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So you know a great deal when you see one. That's c-ar-G-U-R-U-S.ca.cair-Gurus.cairous.com. The Football Interview on the Football Daily Podcast and BBC Eye Player. Mark, let's start with the reason that everyone knows who you are, because you're a footballer. Tell me what football means to you. Football is a big part of my life. It has been for a long time now. So yeah, it means a lot.

It means, you know, the fact that I'm able to do something that I love every single day. Able to provide for my family. Able to meet friends. So, yeah, it means a lot. What's your earliest memory of playing football? Because we know you came over to England when you were won. And obviously you can't remember back then, I'm sure. But what are the first memories with the ball at your feet?

Playing at the park with friends. You used to do that as often as possible. And then through that my Sunday League team, Cray Wanderers, so the bright orange or yellow kit that we had, still in my memories. So definitely those memories which were great. And I still hold them dear to my heart. Talk to me about some of the names of players

and people that you remember playing with back then because I'm sure you had little friends, people on your team that stand out. Yeah, Jaden, Marlon, Adam, James, McKenzie. We actually have a really good team, to be honest. Has anyone else gone on to kind of have a career like yourself? From that team? Yeah.

I don't think so. I'm the fortunate one. But that's not because I was better than anyone else. That was, no, no, no, being honest, I was, Marlon was so good, midfielder. He was at Assem's Academy. Adam was at Chelsea's Academy with me. So why are you here today then?

How did you get to this point and not then? God's grace, fortune. Talent, hard work? Hard work, I guess. I wouldn't say there's anything in particular. Like I said, everyone's life goes different ways for whatever reason. They could be doing amazing things right now. Who knows if football would have taken them down?

taking them down a different path. So I'm just fortunate that I'm in this position today. You have had an exceptional career today and you're only 25 years old. When you look back, is there a turning point or a point that you think you spoke there about luck and kind of different things happen at different points? Has there been a turning point for you, you think, that's really shaped your career? I'd say my time on loan at Swansea was a big turning point, I guess. You know, coming from Chelsea's Academy, not having many first in games under my

my belt going to such an amazing club that made me feel welcome from the beginning and not playing right away or not doing well straight away and having to sit on the bench and having not to travel to games and experience the difficult side of football and definitely I want to say woke me up but put me in my place I guess and that definitely helped me just understand the world of football a bit better. Was there any specific moment at Swansea or a conversation that you can think of that kind of made you go, okay, this is what I need to do or anything like that?

I wouldn't say there's one conversation in particular. I mean, I remember having a few conversations with Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer at the time. You know, two people that I look up to, two people who hurt me a lot. And they were just adamant that I should carry on being myself and just excelled in that area because I think at the end of the day,

If you're not yourself, then what's the point? Do you know, having people like that help me along the way definitely guided my path, I should say. You've mentioned some players there and you've also mentioned players at your first team as well, but is there anyone in particular that you particularly owe your career too and the fact that you're here today? Who's had a big impact on what gauge at this point?

I want to say there's any players in particular, obviously... It doesn't have to be a player, I mean, just a coach that you look back on. I'm thankful to God, obviously. He's helped me along the way the whole way, but definitely my parents, for sure, they've sacrificed a lot, put food on the table when they probably couldn't. Dad driving me to training all the time, even though there wasn't a lot of petrol and my making sure that I was okay, you know, so they've definitely helped me along the way from the beginning. You mentioned your family there and we'll talk about Mark Gehuey away from the pitch in just a moment, but the sacrifices that your dad might have been. must have made in particular because he's a church minster as well isn't he so that must be tough for him to be able to balance being a footballer's dad taking you to training and everything

and having set commitments with the church too yeah i think for him and i kind of mentioned it the euros last time but it's god first you know i think there was times when there were games on sunday that i wasn't able to go to um because i had to be in church and completely understand that But he understood that it was something that I love to do, understood that it was, I guess, a calling in a way. So, you know, for him to have done that and have been there from the beginning was amazing. You mentioned there that obviously on a Sunday he has to go to church. What's it like for your dad now?

If you play on a Sunday, does that mean he's at church and can't watch you? No, they go to church first. Yeah, the family goes to church first. Usually, I don't know if it's super Sunday. So what time is it? 2 p.m. kickoff. So church will start at 10.30. So finish church.

church done at 12.30 and then they rush home and then rush to the stadium wherever it is and then they come and watch me so wow still now to that point but then they managed to come to most of the games too yeah most of the home no away games but most of the home games yeah let's talk about Mark Gehie the person then and you've already mentioned your family I wanted to go back to your earliest childhood memory and what you really remember being at home what was a usual day in the Gehie family like everyone was working to be on this is that says a lot

doesn't it? Yeah, if I was at school, family, mum and dad were doing whatever cleaning jobs at the time or whatever they were doing. Sisters running around and get back home and it's just jokes, laughter, no one being too serious. So yeah, everyone was together, which is always nice. Were you the joker or one of your sisters the joker? I'm more of the joker now. Now that they're a bit older and they can understand my jokes. But yeah, my sisters are very funny, very, very funny. They've got a good sense of humour. Talk to me about that family dynamic. then because it's your mum and your dad and then have you got two sisters? Three younger sisters.

Yeah. So what are you like as an older brother? What would they say about you? I'd say, I think they'd say, I'm not necessarily their older brother, if that makes sense. I don't act like their older brother. Because I wouldn't say I put myself on their level, but we all see each other the same. There's no real, oh, he's the older brother, yeah, by age, but we all act very, very childish around each other, very silly. We don't take each other seriously.

constantly jokes and making fun of each other so it's good is it right you still live at home with them wow why is that so important to you now because of course you've gone on to have these amazing career you've played at the highest level but you're still living at home why was that so important to you to stay there so what is it you love about it it's um one of my sisters that everyone's just funny good sense of humor I get to be myself in a way if that makes sense. I feel like I don't know if I'm the only one that feels like this in football but sometimes not all the time you have to put on a show if that makes sense

you have to not necessarily be someone you're not but be an extension of yourself to kind of make it in this environment because it is such a tough environment cutthroat really difficult you know a lot of you know bravado and you know ego in a way which is all positive and it's a good thing, but at the same time when I'm at home, I can chill, I can be myself. And they're my foundation, do you know what I mean? So they've always been there from the beginning.

So yeah, I just love being around them. How would they describe you? Because I bet if I asked one of your teammates to describe you, it'd be quite different from how your family describe you. Yeah, they call me a troll. A troll? Yeah, as in like, I'm always trolling.

I'm not serious, yeah. I come across very, very serious, which is, I guess so, but not to them. Yeah, not to them. Uncle Mark? Yeah, that might be, yeah. To be honest, it's good. It comes across serious, but not too serious.

Yeah, the Uncle Mark, so yeah. What do you like to do to escape from football? Music. I love music, love listening to music, and definitely learning different things. So whether it's trying to learn DJing, I've tried to do that a little bit, or reading different books, or I love going to the movies, like to the cinema. movies like to the cinema because no one goes to the cinema so it's nice to be in a cinema on your own popcorn no one talks to you yeah it's just nice so yeah just

anything anybody else would do I guess favorite film limitless Bradley Cooper I love that I love Bradley Cooper I love limitless what a great film would help at this point if I'd seen that film to be able to not see it with the pill and like the I know the one you mean yeah yeah yeah you need to go watch that I love that film okay so that's your perfect day so if that's what you would do on a day off from football now you are you a social person yeah yeah yeah but i don't have many friends so and all my friends are even in different countries or live in manchester liverpool so it's hard to like connect and stuff like that um but yeah

people have definitely people have time um then yeah i'll definitely be there let's go back to your music then because you mentioned there you've a bit of DJing do you do that at home i try to So you've got decks at home, a little studio? I tried to, yeah, I try to. I'm not good. No, no, no, I'm trying. I'm trying. I'm not, before someone gets me, you know, DJing somewhere.

And what about drumming? I'm told you were pretty good at drumming. That's been something that's been in your life for a long time. Yeah, yeah, drummed at church for a long time. I need to get a drum set. So you don't have one. But I really want, I think that's a really good way to just enjoy music and escape and, yeah, really good. It sounds like escapism and escaping

from football is something that's quite important to you in a good way. Yeah, I think it's positive. You know, when you're in this environment 24-7, you know, wanting to win games, wanting to be the best, wanting to do everything for the fans, you need something that just takes your mind away from things just a little bit. And it always, in a way it gives you a refresher, a way to, you know, restart and put yourself in the best positions to go and, you know, get back into that, you know, mindset again. So it's really good, I think.

I asked you about your family, but how would your best friends describe you? Childish. There's a theme here, isn't there? Yeah. You like to be Mr. Serious here, and then when you're away from the cameras, away from the football pitch. Away from the cameras, yeah. Away from the cameras, but yeah, just childish, not serious. Yeah, I think that's what they'd say.

Let me take you back to the books as well, favourite book. What type of books do you like reading? Oh, any, any nonfiction fiction, favourite book, I'd say, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury. What's that book about? It is about, don't want to give it away too much, but it's in a future world where fire fighters don't put out fires, they start fires. Wow, okay. And they're burning books, basically, burning all the knowledge in the world. And there's this one firefighter that is questioning that.

I don't want to give too much joy, but yeah, a really good book. Okay, recommend it if you're watching this. I also wanted to ask you, going back to the football kind of side of things, you've achieved so much in your career already in terms of winning with England, in terms of at youth levels, winning with Chelsea youth levels. You're an FA Cup winner now as well. You've played at the highest level. Is there one match that particularly stands out from your career?

Your favourite match, perhaps? Any game? like um you've surprised me already because i thought you'd say one in may you thought i'd say the one in may it's quite a big one the fay got one no no no maybe not for me not for me not for me not for me it was great but i mean that's more for i see that more for the football club and the fans i'm just really happy for them as opposed but for me i don't think i have one from being honest no just because i think that's none that's standard No, I think that's to come. I don't see that.

Okay. There will be one to come at some point in my career, but not now. What are you most proud of from your career so far? It doesn't have to be football related to it. Yeah, just the fact that I've kept going. I'd say I'm very hard on myself and I like it that way. It keeps me on my toes, keeps me grounded, keeps me focused and wanting to improve, but just the fact that I've kept going.

Not from any outside noise or anything, but just the pressure that I put myself. I'm quite demanding, so the fact that I've almost in a way battling out with myself and I've kept going is a good thing. I've asked you how your family would describe you. I've asked you how your best friend would describe you. How do you describe yourself? Good question. Don't say a troll. No, not a troll.

I'd say, how would I describe myself? I don't know, work to do. Always looking forward, aren't you? I have to. I don't. I can't. I can't sit still, basically. Okay, tell me one thing about yourself that would surprise me or anyone watching this. Maybe that we don't know about you. Do you know what?

I feel like most of my business is out in the world anyway at this point. Do you know what? I would, I'm not only good, but I would love to be like a WW wrestle or something like that, you know. That was not what I was expecting. Why? What is it about that that appears to you? I don't know, just growing up watching WWE. I just want to live out your childhood dream. It's actually on Netflix now.

Do you watch it? I've seen some like paper views and stuff like that. Well, the ones on Netflix, yeah. Actually, yeah. Okay. I would love to be like a WWSler. Not any good. I don't know loads about wrestling, so it isn't great for a follow-off here.

It can be dangerous. It's obviously it is scripted, but it's like really... So I say the performance side of it. Yeah, the performance side of it. Being able to just waffle, I feel like I'm a good waffler, like on the mic and making people believe that you're the bad guy or the good guy. Yeah. I'm finally trying to bring it back to something serious now.

If you could achieve one more thing in your career, what would you want it to be? Play till I'm 40. Wow. Just longevity then. Yeah. I think that's the real, obviously winning trophies is great, playing in different competitions, but I think that's the real testament to how professional someone is. Obviously, there's going to be injuries and that's always unfortunate. But, you know, God win and I can play for that long. in a sport that is, you know, so, like, fleeting. So, yeah.

No wonder you want to be described as childish and describing. He's trying to stay young, aren't you? Always have to be. That's what we're all trying to do. Very true. All trying to do. Mark, thank you so much for your time. I look forward to seeing your career post-14 as a W&W wrestler.

Thank you very much. He scored goals, lifted trophies and broken records along the way. There it is. It's a day to remember. The Wayne Rooney! And now he's got a podcast. Welcome to The Wayne Rooney Show. Twice a week, Wayne Rooney, Kay Curd and me, Kelly Summers,

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