Marc Guehi, the highly sought-after defender, developed a passion for football early in life, watching Match of the Day from around the age of five. Despite his burgeoning love for the sport, his parents ensured education remained his primary focus, instilling a grounded and composed nature that would later define his playing style. His father, Papa Guehi, revealed that young Marc admired Didier Drogba and Thiago Silva, even presenting on the latter during his time at the Chelsea academy.

Guehi's football journey began around 2007 when Chelsea established development centres across London to scout young talent, as their main training ground in Cobham was in a posh part of the city. Out of approximately two thousand children scouted, Guehi was among the few who made it through successive cuts, eventually signing as a Chelsea academy player in 2009. This system, which also produced talents like Rhian Brewster, Dujon Sterling, and Reece James, was instrumental in making Chelsea's academy one of the best globally.

Leadership qualities were nurtured in Guehi from a young age; his father taught him how to be a leader, and he even looked after his younger sister as a small boy. This inherent quality translated onto the pitch, with his father noting that his leadership at Palace was a direct result of this early upbringing. Despite his talent, Guehi did not sign a professional contract until 2017. He remained humble, driving his mother's Volkswagen Golf to training while some teammates purchased flashy cars and homes. This family car remains a symbol of his journey and a reminder of his roots.

His first taste of senior football came with a Chelsea debut under Frank Lampard in two cup games, followed by a loan spell at Swansea City. Recommended by Paulo Ferreira, who managed loan players at Chelsea, Swansea under Steve Cooper was considered an ideal environment for young talents, following successful loans for Tammy Abraham and Conor Gallagher. However, Guehi's time at Swansea began roughly; he was dropped after four or five games with no explanation, and the onset of COVID-19 further complicated matters. Despite the initial struggles, the 18-month loan allowed him to become well-established by his second season, a period his father described as a trial by fire that shaped his understanding of football's brutal realities.

Upon returning to Chelsea, Guehi was determined to secure a permanent move rather than endure another loan spell, as Frank Lampard rarely spoke to him directly about his prospects. He conveyed his desire to leave through an assistant. Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, who had expressed immediate confidence in Guehi, saw him as the cornerstone of his defence. Guehi made the switch to Palace in 2021 for a fee of £18 million.

At Crystal Palace, Guehi made an immediate impact, winning over Vieira's coaching staff by his second game with his thoroughness and natural leadership. Vieira kept his promise of consistent game time, which was a priority for Guehi and his family over financial considerations. While teammate Conor Gallagher often grabbed headlines during his loan, Guehi quietly established himself as a reliable and consistent defender. Gareth Southgate, the England manager, frequently encouraged Guehi to maintain his focus, assuring him that a national team call-up was on the horizon. Teammate Jordan Ayew praised Guehi's professionalism, noting his punctuality, proper nutrition, and recovery habits.

Guehi's stock continued to rise with each performance. Last summer, after a stellar Euros, Newcastle United made him their top target, valuing him not only as a player but also as a leader and a strong dressing room presence, submitting a bid exceeding £60 million. Despite the lucrative offer, Guehi remained highly professional and did not attempt to force a move, showing immense respect for Palace, who he felt had