For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of uncertainty was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a first-choice pick under Gareth Southgate, and his standing remained secure after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.
Enter the new boss, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership swept Dan Burn into the starting XI for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look great.
Tuchel started Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which took in the matches against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s natural for any footballer to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “You know, fresh coach coming in … who knows what the team’s going to look like, it’s unknown who’s going to feature?”
The thing Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – remain completely in the present, as composed as possible. This approach would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the games against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a demon. Not a soul would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The 25-year-old was selected in both and was particularly good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association hired him. “In my view what the gaffer has achieved is show a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we do get the opportunity, we want to show what we can do.”
Belief as the Central Idea
Trust is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to play Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his player choices.
It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of confidence in the players from the last get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was forced to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Choices and Team Dynamics
His choice to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.
That which must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the former now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Here is how a manager creates a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the unit supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this session – and he sees an positive in the message he has delivered. Reputations will not sway him. Acting as a good teammate will.
Creating a Brotherhood
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation squad was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was talking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has gone on in the past or what is occurring in the campaign, you leave that behind. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you battle with for as long as you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the players themselves, the backroom team, have performed a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the individuals to actually buy into that. In my opinion each member has accepted that superbly because I love so much coming here and I am sure the others of the players do, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel expects against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the victories positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the team continue the intensity they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.
“For me, anxiety is a normal feeling,” he says about being benched in Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It means that the boss has chosen me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You only get so many days on this planet. I’d rather be positive and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the finest that I can be instead of worrying.”
