For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a key pick under the previous manager, and his status remained secure following the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.
Enter the new boss, which 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 recalled that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought 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 selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his next gathering in June, which included the matches versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for any footballer to almost doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “You know, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the squad’s going to look like, who knows who’s going to feature?”
What Guéhi did next was exactly what he typically does – stay firmly in the moment, as balanced as possible. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed move to Liverpool.
The next day, Guéhi reported 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 been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in both and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.
The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary factors why the Football Association appointed him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to show what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Central Idea
Trust is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and deeply Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling 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 last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.
Tuchel’s Choices and Team Dynamics
Tuchel’s choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the discourse – to the extent that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been made as a something of a afterthought.
What should 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 cover for the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his place 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 forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Here is how a manager creates a performance-based culture, how he builds bonds. Tuchel loved the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? Tuchel has essentially turned it into one for this session – and he sees an upside in the signal he has sent. Past accolades will not sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Strong Unit
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an discussion with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their so-called 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 talking about a “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.
“There’s any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has happened in the before or what is occurring in the season, you put that aside. You arrive here, these are your best friends, your teammates, the guys that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have performed a fantastic job at fostering an spirit. Then again, it depends on the players to truly embrace that. I think each member has bought into that brilliantly because I enjoy so much being here and I know the rest of the players feel the same, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel expects against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the wins welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Can the side build on the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a natural feeling,” he says about not playing against Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It means that the manager has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.
“So personally, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this planet. I’d rather be excited and focused and assist the people that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the finest that I can be rather than stressing.”
