For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of self-doubt was natural. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status stayed secure following Lee Carsley’s spell in the initial part of last season.
Then came Thomas Tuchel, and it is important to recall that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought Dan Burn into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t promising.
The manager started Guéhi in the following game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to pick him for his next gathering in June, which took in the fixtures versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during his club’s historic FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s natural for every player to almost question that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his omission against Albania. “You know, new manager coming in … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to feature?”
What Guéhi did next was what he always does – remain firmly in the moment, as composed as possible. Which would serve him well during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi reported with England for the matches versus 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 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 was selected in each and was particularly good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.
The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was one of the main factors why the FA hired him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we do get the chance, we aim to display what we can do.”
Faith as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play Latvia in their next World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his squad selection.
It was, simply, the most stunning show of confidence in the players from the previous camp, those who had gone 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 obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.
The Manager’s Decisions and Team Dynamics
His choice to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the extent that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been made as a bit of a footnote.
What must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, despite the latter now being OK and in the group. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he forges bonds. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this session – and he believes in an positive in the signal he has delivered. Reputations will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.
Creating a Brotherhood
It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an interview with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation team 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 “close-knit group” within the team before his initial match.
“There’s any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has gone on in the past or whatever is occurring in the season, you leave that aside. You arrive here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you battle with for as long as you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic role at fostering an spirit. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to actually buy into that. In my opinion every single person has accepted that superbly because I enjoy so much coming here and I am sure the rest of the lads do, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel expects against Wales is a showing that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the victories positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the team build on the intensity they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“For me, anxiety is a normal feeling,” he states about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and if I’m playing or not I’ll still support the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many moments on this planet. I’d rather be positive and focused and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”