In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Crystal Palace centre‑half had excelled for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key pick under the previous manager, and his status stayed secure following the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.
Then came the new boss, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought 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 wasn’t great.
The manager started Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to pick him for his second camp in June, which took in the fixtures versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s natural for any footballer to almost doubt that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, who knows who’s going to play?”
The thing Guéhi did next was what he typically does – remain completely in the moment, as composed as possible. This approach would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his planned transfer to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi reported with England for the games versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a demon. Not a soul would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel around. The young defender was selected in each and was particularly impressive in the 5-0 win against Serbia, even adding his first international goal.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary reasons why the FA hired him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we receive the chance, we aim to display what we can do.”
Belief as the Central Idea
Faith is the theme – and not only because Guéhi is the child of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.
It was, quite, the most remarkable demonstration of support in the players from the last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Each of the 24 who are fit have been kept – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Choices and Squad Dynamics
His choice to overlook the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a something of a footnote.
That which must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a coach creates a performance-based culture, how he builds bonds. Tuchel admired the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a question? Tuchel has essentially turned it into one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the signal he has delivered. Past accolades will not influence him. Being a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Brotherhood
It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an interview with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called talented era squad was. The ability was not in question; it was the environment that held them back and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was talking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his first game.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. No matter has happened in the before or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you put that behind. You arrive here, these are your best friends, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.
“The environment is always great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the players themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent role at fostering an atmosphere. Additionally, it comes down to the players to actually buy into that. I think each member has bought into that brilliantly because I love so much coming here and I know the rest of the lads feel the same, too.”
Looking Ahead
What Tuchel expects against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the victories positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Can the team continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“For me, anxiety is a normal feeling,” he states about being benched in Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the manager has chosen me for this opportunity and if I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.
“So personally, fretting can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this planet. I’d rather be excited and focused and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by being the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”
