In the case of Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under the previous manager, and his standing stayed secure after 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 manager who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the new broom brought Dan Burn into the starting XI for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t great.
Tuchel selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during Palace’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for every player to almost doubt that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his omission against Albania. “You know, new manager coming in … it’s unclear what the team’s going to look like, it’s unknown who is going to feature?”
The thing Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – remain firmly in the present, as balanced as he could be. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the games against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a demon. Not a soul would have known about any internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that camp and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel around. The 25-year-old started in each and was particularly good in the five-nil win against Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of drawing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary factors why the Football Association hired him. “I think what the gaffer has done is demonstrate a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.
It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are available have been kept – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Dynamics
Tuchel’s choice to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been made as a something of a footnote.
What should not be ignored – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Here is how a coach creates a meritocracy, how he builds bonds. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he aimed to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has essentially turned it into one for this camp – and he believes in an positive in the message he has delivered. Past accolades will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.
Building a Brotherhood
Coinciding with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and divided their so-called golden generation squad was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is determined to fix this. He was talking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.
“There’s any tension between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has gone on in the past or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you leave that aside. You arrive here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The environment is always positive when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic job at fostering an spirit. Then again, it comes down to the players to truly embrace that. In my opinion every single person has bought into that brilliantly because I enjoy immensely coming here and I know the rest of the lads feel the same, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel wants versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the wins positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.
“For me, anxiety is a natural feeling,” he says about being benched in Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It means that the manager has chosen me for this opportunity and whether I’m starting or not I’ll still back the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You only get so many days on this planet. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”
