For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his standing stayed secure after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the first half of last season.
Enter the new boss, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the new broom swept another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t great.
Tuchel started Guéhi in the following game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his next gathering in June, which included the matches versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an eye injury during Palace’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s natural for every player to almost question that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who is going to feature?”
What Guéhi then did was what he typically does – remain completely in the moment, as composed as possible. This approach would serve him well during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed move to Liverpool.
The next day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Not a soul would have known about any internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that gathering and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel over. The young defender started in both and was particularly good in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main factors why the FA appointed him. “In my view what the manager has done is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we do get the opportunity, we aim to show what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their next World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.
It was, simply, the most remarkable demonstration of confidence 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 available have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.
The Manager’s Choices and Team Unity
Tuchel’s choice to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.
That which must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost 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 former now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a coach creates a performance-based culture, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the unit supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this session – and he believes in an positive in the message he has sent. Past accolades will not influence him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.
Building a Brotherhood
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an discussion with his ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how self-centered and divided their much-hyped talented era team was. The ability was not in question; it was the environment that held them back and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his first game.
“There’s any tension between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has happened in the before or what is going on in the campaign, you put that aside. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you go to war with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent role at fostering an atmosphere. Then again, it depends on the individuals to actually embrace that. In my opinion every single person has accepted that superbly because I love immensely being here and I know the others of the lads feel the same, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel wants against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the victories welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Can the team build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“In my case, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m starting or not I’ll still support the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this earth. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the best that I can be instead of stressing.”
