In the case of Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of uncertainty was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a key pick under the previous manager, and his status stayed secure following Lee Carsley’s spell 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 sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look great.
The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an eye injury during his club’s historic FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for every player to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach coming in … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who is going to feature?”
The thing Guéhi did next was what he typically does – stay firmly in the present, as composed as he could be. This approach would benefit him during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer 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. Nobody would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel over. The young defender started in each and was especially impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.
The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary factors why the Football Association hired him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the chance, we want to display what we can do.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the theme – and not just 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 face Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his player choices.
It was, quite, the most remarkable demonstration of support in the players from the last camp, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Each of the 24 who are available have been retained – 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.
Tuchel’s Choices and Squad Unity
Tuchel’s decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also fully recovered, has been made as a bit of a footnote.
What must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, although the latter now being fit and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
This is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he forges connections. Tuchel admired the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this session – and he believes in an positive in the message he has delivered. Past accolades will not sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Brotherhood
It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called talented era team was. The talent was not in doubt; it was the environment that held them back and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking about a “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.
“There’s any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the before or what is going on in the season, you leave that aside. You come here, these become your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you go to war with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent role at creating an atmosphere. Then again, it depends on the players to actually buy into that. I think every single person has bought into that brilliantly because I love immensely coming here and I am sure the rest of the lads do, too.”
Looking Ahead
What Tuchel wants against Wales is a showing that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the wins positive, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the team build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“In my case, anxiety is a natural human emotion,” he says about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the manager has chosen me for this chance and if I’m playing or not I’ll still support the team.
“So for me, fretting can be a waste of time. You only get so many days on this earth. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or improve personally – by being the best that I can be instead of worrying.”
