In the case of Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of uncertainty was natural. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key selection under the previous manager, and his status stayed secure following the caretaker coach’s spell 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 transfer from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the new broom brought another defender into the lineup for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t great.
The manager selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his next gathering in June, which took in the matches versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for any footballer to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach coming in … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”
The thing Guéhi did next was what he always does – remain firmly in the present, as balanced as possible. This approach would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a demon. Nobody would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel around. The 25-year-old was selected in both and was especially impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association hired him. “I think what the manager has done is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the opportunity, we want to display what we can do.”
Belief as the Central Idea
Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and deeply Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to play 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 gone to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. 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.
Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Unity
His decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.
What must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the former now being fit and in the group. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
This is how a coach creates a performance-based culture, how he forges connections. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this camp – and he sees an positive in the message he has sent. Past accolades will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.
Building a Strong Unit
It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and clique-ridden their much-hyped golden generation team was. The talent was not in doubt; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his first game.
“There isn’t any animosity between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the past or what is occurring in the campaign, you put that aside. 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 environment is always great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have done a excellent job at creating an spirit. Then again, it comes down to the players to actually embrace that. In my opinion each member has accepted that superbly because I enjoy immensely being here and I know the others of the players feel the same, too.”
Looking Ahead
That which Tuchel wants versus Wales is a showing that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins welcome, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the team continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“In my case, anxiety is a natural feeling,” he states about being benched in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the manager has chosen me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.
“So personally, worrying can be a futile effort. You only get so many moments on this planet. I prefer to be positive and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by being the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”
