For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice pick under Gareth Southgate, and his standing stayed secure following the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.
Then came Thomas Tuchel, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Chelsea to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly recalled that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the new broom swept Dan Burn 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, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to almost doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence from Albania. “You know, fresh coach coming in … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”
The thing Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – stay firmly in the moment, as composed as he could be. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his planned move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi reported with England for the matches versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Nobody would have known about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel over. The young defender started in each and was particularly good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.
The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main reasons why the Football Association appointed him. “In my view what the manager has done is demonstrate a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the opportunity, we want to display what we can achieve.”
Faith as the Central Idea
Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and deeply Christian. England meet Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to play Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his player choices.
It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of support in the players from the last camp, those who had gone to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. Each 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 pull out on Monday because of a more minor one.
The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Dynamics
His decision to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a something of a afterthought.
That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, despite the latter now being OK and in the group. However, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
This is how a manager creates a performance-based culture, how he forges bonds. Tuchel admired the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the message he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Strong Unit
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their so-called talented era team was. The ability was not in question; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was talking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his initial match.
“There isn’t any animosity between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. No matter has happened in the past or whatever is going on in the season, you put that aside. You come here, these become your best friends, your colleagues, the players that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.
“The atmosphere is consistently positive when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the players themselves, the backroom team, have performed a fantastic role at fostering an atmosphere. Then again, it comes down to the players to actually buy into that. I think each member has accepted that brilliantly because I enjoy immensely coming here and I know the others of the lads feel the same, too.”
Looking Ahead
That which Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the wins welcome, the first steps on the road 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 final words go to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a normal feeling,” he says about being benched in Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and whether I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.
“So personally, fretting can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this earth. I’d rather be excited and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by being the best that I can be instead of stressing.”
