In the case of 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 pick under Gareth Southgate, and his standing remained secure after the caretaker coach’s spell in the first half of last season.
Then came Thomas Tuchel, and it is worth remembering that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership swept another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t promising.
Tuchel selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select 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 historic FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to almost doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the squad’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”
What Guéhi then did was what he always does – stay completely in the present, as balanced as possible. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his planned move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a man possessed. Not a soul would have been aware about any internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in each and was particularly impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.
The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main factors why the FA appointed him. “In my view what the manager has done is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we do get the opportunity, we want to show what we can do.”
Belief as the Theme
Trust is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and deeply 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 squad selection.
It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of confidence in the players from the previous 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 serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Decisions and Team Unity
Tuchel’s decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a something of a afterthought.
What must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, despite the former now being fit and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a coach creates a meritocracy, how he builds bonds. Tuchel loved the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors 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 session – and he believes in an positive in the signal he has sent. Past accolades will not sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague 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 self-centered and divided their so-called talented era squad was. The talent was not in question; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his initial match.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the past or what is going on in the season, you put that behind. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is consistently great when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the players themselves, the backroom team, have performed a excellent role at fostering an atmosphere. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to truly embrace that. In my opinion every single person has bought into that superbly because I love so much being here and I am sure the rest of the lads do, too.”
Looking Ahead
What Tuchel wants versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the victories welcome, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the side continue the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.
“In my case, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the boss has chosen me for this opportunity and whether I’m playing or not I’ll still support the team.
“So personally, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this earth. I’d rather be excited and focused and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the best that I can be instead of worrying.”
