For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key pick under Gareth Southgate, and his status stayed intact after Lee Carsley’s spell in the first half of last season.
Then came the new boss, and it is worth remembering that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly recalled that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership swept Dan Burn into the lineup for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it did not look promising.
The manager started Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which took in the matches against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an eye injury during Palace’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s normal for every player to practically doubt that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the team’s going to be, who knows who’s going to feature?”
What Guéhi then did was exactly what he typically does – stay firmly in the moment, as balanced as possible. Which would serve him well during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his planned move 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 personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel over. The young defender was selected in each and was especially impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary factors why the Football Association appointed him. “In my view what the gaffer has done is show a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the opportunity, we aim to display what we can achieve.”
Faith as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a pastor and deeply Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his player choices.
It was, simply, the most remarkable demonstration of confidence in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are available 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.
Tuchel’s Decisions and Team Dynamics
His choice to overlook the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.
That which must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the injured John Stones in September, despite the latter now being fit and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
This is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he builds bonds. Tuchel loved the team behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this camp – and he believes in an positive in the signal he has delivered. Reputations will not influence him. Being a supportive colleague will.
Building a Brotherhood
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and clique-ridden their so-called golden generation team was. The talent was not in question; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his initial match.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has happened in the before or what is occurring in the campaign, you leave that aside. You arrive here, these become your closest allies, your colleagues, the guys that you go to war with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is consistently positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to truly embrace that. I think every single person has accepted that brilliantly because I enjoy so much coming here and I am sure the rest of the lads do, too.”
Looking Ahead
What Tuchel wants versus Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the wins welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Can the side continue the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.
“For me, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he states about being benched against Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this chance and if I’m playing 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 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 stressing.”
