🔗 Share this article

For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of uncertainty was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his standing stayed secure after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the first half of last season.

Enter the new boss, which is worth remembering that this was the coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership swept another defender into the starting XI for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t promising.

Tuchel selected Guéhi in the following game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during his club’s memorable FA Cup final win against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s natural for any footballer to almost question that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission from Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … who knows what the team’s going to be, who knows who is going to feature?”

What Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – stay firmly in the present, as composed as possible. This approach would serve him well during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his planned transfer to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a demon. Not a soul would have been aware about any internal turmoil. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel over. The young defender started in each and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.

The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was one of the main reasons why the Football Association appointed him. “I think what the manager has done is demonstrate a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we receive the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”

Faith as the Theme

Trust is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling 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, simply, the most stunning demonstration of confidence in the players from the last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are available have been kept – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was obliged to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.

Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also fully recovered, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.

That which should not be overlooked – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, even though 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 latter now being OK and in the group. However, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knee injury.

This is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he forges bonds. Tuchel admired the team behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this session – and he sees an positive in the signal he has delivered. Past accolades will not sway him. Being a supportive colleague will.

Creating a Strong Unit

Coinciding with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and clique-ridden their much-hyped golden generation team was. The talent was not in question; it was the environment that held them back and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.

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

“The environment is consistently great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the squad themselves, the staff, have performed a fantastic role at fostering an spirit. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to truly buy into that. I think each member has accepted that brilliantly because I love immensely coming here and I know the rest of the players feel the same, too.”

Looking Ahead

That which Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the victories positive, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side continue the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.

“For me, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he states about being benched in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It means 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 moments on this earth. I prefer to be positive and focused and help the teammates that I can – or help myself – by being the best that I can be instead of stressing.”