🔗 Share this article

For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of self-doubt was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained intact after the caretaker coach’s tenure in the initial part of last season.

Then came the new boss, and it is important to recall that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the new broom swept Dan Burn into the lineup for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look promising.

Tuchel started Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to pick him for his next gathering in June, which included the matches against Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

“In my opinion it’s normal for any footballer to practically question that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission against Albania. “You know, fresh coach coming in … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”

What Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – stay completely in the moment, as balanced as possible. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, blocked his planned move to Liverpool.

The following day, Guéhi reported with England for the games versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Not a soul would have known about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he earned Tuchel around. The young defender started in both and was especially impressive in the five-nil win against Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.

The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main factors why the FA appointed him. “I think what the gaffer has achieved is show a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the chance, we want to show what we can do.”

Belief as the Central Idea

Trust is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and deeply Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.

It was, quite, the most stunning show of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to pull out on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Decisions and Team Dynamics

His choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been made as a something of a footnote.

That which must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the former now being OK and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

Here is how a coach builds a meritocracy, how he forges connections. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has essentially turned it into one for this session – and he believes in an upside in the message he has delivered. Past accolades will not sway him. Being a good teammate will.

Building a Brotherhood

Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an discussion with his ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and clique-ridden their so-called golden generation team was. The talent was not in question; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.

“There isn’t any tension between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has gone on in the past or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you put that aside. You come here, these are your closest allies, your colleagues, the guys that you battle with for however long you’re here.

“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have done a excellent job at fostering an spirit. Then again, it comes down to the players to truly embrace that. I think each member has accepted that brilliantly because I love immensely being here and I am sure the others of the players feel the same, too.”

Looking Ahead

That which Tuchel expects against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the team continue the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.

“In my case, worrying is a normal feeling,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It means that the manager has opted for me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll still support the team.

“So for me, fretting can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this planet. I’d rather be positive and focused and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the finest that I can be instead of worrying.”