For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of self-doubt was understandable. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his standing stayed secure after the caretaker coach’s tenure in the first half of last season.
Then came Thomas Tuchel, and it is important to recall that this was the coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the new broom swept Dan Burn into the starting XI for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it did not look promising.
The manager started Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able 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 his club’s memorable FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for every player to practically doubt that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his absence from Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”
The thing Guéhi did next was what he always does – stay completely in the present, as composed as possible. This approach would serve him well during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches versus 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 hard not to see that camp and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel around. The 25-year-old started in each and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association appointed him. “In my view what the gaffer has achieved is demonstrate a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a pastor 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 qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his player choices.
It was, quite, the most stunning demonstration of confidence in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Each 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.
Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Unity
Tuchel’s choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.
That which must not be ignored – 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, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, despite the former now being OK and in the squad. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a manager builds a performance-based culture, how he forges connections. Tuchel loved the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? 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 sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Strong Unit
It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and clique-ridden their much-hyped talented era 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 talking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.
“There’s any tension between anyone,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. No matter has happened in the before or what is occurring in the campaign, you leave that behind. You arrive here, these are your closest allies, your colleagues, the players that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic job at fostering an spirit. Then again, it comes down to the players to actually buy into that. In my opinion each member has accepted that brilliantly because I love immensely coming here and I know the rest of the players do, too.”
Future Focus
What Tuchel expects against Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the wins positive, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the team continue the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he states about being benched in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.
“So personally, fretting can be a waste of time. You don’t have many moments on this planet. I’d rather be positive and focused and assist the teammates that I can – or help myself – by being the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”
