For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of uncertainty was understandable. 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 Thomas Tuchel, and it is worth remembering that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t promising.
Tuchel selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his second camp in June, which took in the matches versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for every player to almost doubt that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his omission from Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … who knows what the squad’s going to look like, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”
What Guéhi then did was what he always does – stay firmly in the present, as balanced as he could be. This approach would benefit him during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer to Liverpool.
The next 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. Nobody would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel around. The young defender started in each and was particularly good in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association hired him. “I think what the gaffer has achieved is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we receive the chance, we want to show what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Central Idea
Trust is the theme – and not only because Guéhi is the child 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 qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his squad selection.
It was, simply, the most remarkable demonstration of support in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was obliged to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Choices and Squad Dynamics
Tuchel’s decision to overlook the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been made as a bit of a footnote.
What should 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 replace the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the injured John Stones in September, although the former now being OK and in the group. However, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
This is how a coach creates a meritocracy, how he forges connections. Tuchel admired the team behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this session – and he sees an upside in the signal he has sent. Past accolades will not sway him. Being a supportive colleague will.
Building a Brotherhood
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and clique-ridden their so-called talented era squad was. The talent was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that limited them 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 say when we’re here, Team England. No matter has gone on in the past or what is occurring in the season, you put that behind. You come here, these become your best friends, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.
“The atmosphere is consistently great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the players themselves, the staff, have performed a excellent role at fostering an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the individuals to truly embrace that. I think every single person has bought into that brilliantly because I enjoy so much being here and I know the others of the players do, too.”
Looking Ahead
What Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that stirs the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the victories welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the team continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.
“In my case, worrying is a normal feeling,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It means that the manager has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m playing or not I’ll still back the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this planet. I’d rather be excited and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or help myself – by being the best that I can be instead of stressing.”
