England star admits he’s suffering from a Euro 2024 hangover after a ‘tough start to the season’

England’s Euro 2024 campaign ended in a defeat by Spain on July 14, just 33 days before the Premier League season kicked off.

All but two of the players in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the tournament currently play for club’s in England’s top flight, meaning there was little time to reset.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi started in six of England’s seven games in Germany this summer and he has admitted that a Euro 2024 hangover has contributed to what has been a difficult start to the campaign.

Guehi – whose Palace side have yet to record a win after seven rounds of Premier League fixtures – sat alongside England interim boss Lee Carsley at Saturday’s press conference in Helsinki.

Speaking on the eve of England’s Nations League clash with Finland, Guehi told reporters: ‘I’d have to say it’s been quite tough not having a pre-season, not having much of a break and going straight back into it. I’ve handled it as best as I can.

Defender Marc Guehi (top right) played in six of England’s seven matches at the tournament

Guehi spoke at a press conference on Saturday ahead of England’s game away to Finland

‘The Euros was such an amazing experience. Since then, I just tried to get my head down and get to work.

‘It’s been a tough start for us at Palace but everyone’s pulling in the right direction to try to get ourselves back to where we want to be.

‘And then for myself to be called up again… England’s amazing. It’s always a privilege to play for my country.’ 

Guehi did not feature on Thursday night when an experimental XI named by Carsley struggled against Greece, who went on to record a 2-1 win at Wembley.

There was no recognised striker in Carsley’s starting side in London, but the team was still full of attacking players, including Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

Guehi – who is expected to start in a more traditional formation on Sunday – was asked about England’s wealth of attacking options at the press conference.

Guehi pictured sitting alongside England interim manager Lee Carsley (right) on Saturday

Crystal Palace have not yet won a game in this season’s Premier League after a ‘tough’ start

He responded: ‘It’s really tough to play against these boys. We’re talking about world-class players. For myself and the rest of the defenders I can proudly say that it is a really tough ask to come up against them. Their quality shines through, their intelligence of the game.

‘Our goal is to win a trophy. So when you do come that close in the summer, it’s important you find ways to improve.

‘The manager coming in has definitely seen something and we, as players, want to be as receptive as possible.

‘We want to close the gap, to have that final push to get a trophy.’