For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of self-doubt was understandable. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a key pick under the previous manager, and his status stayed intact after the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.
Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is worth remembering that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the starting XI for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t great.
The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to pick him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for any footballer to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his omission from Albania. “You know, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the squad’s going to look like, it’s unknown who is going to play?”
What Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – remain completely in the present, as balanced as possible. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches against 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 hard not to see that gathering and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The young defender was selected in each and was especially good in the five-nil win against Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main reasons why the FA appointed him. “I think what the gaffer has done is demonstrate a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”
Faith as the Central Idea
Faith is the theme – and not only because Guéhi is the child 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 squad selection.
It was, simply, the most remarkable demonstration of support in the players from the previous camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been kept – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.
Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Dynamics
Tuchel’s decision to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been made as a something of a footnote.
What must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace 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 unavailable John Stones in September, despite the former now being OK and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
This is how a manager creates a performance-based culture, how he forges bonds. Tuchel admired the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this camp – and he believes in an positive in the signal he has sent. Past accolades will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.
Creating a Strong Unit
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation squad was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his initial match.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi says. “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 season, you put that behind. You come here, these are your best friends, your colleagues, the guys that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The environment is always great when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the squad themselves, the staff, have done a excellent job at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the players to truly buy into that. In my opinion every single person has bought into that superbly because I love immensely being here and I am sure the rest of the players do, too.”
Looking Ahead
That which Tuchel wants versus Wales is a performance that stirs the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the victories welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side continue the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a normal feeling,” he says about not playing against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It means that the manager has chosen me for this opportunity and whether I’m starting or not I’ll still support the team.
“So personally, worrying can be a waste of time. You only get so many moments on this planet. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the best that I can be rather than stressing.”
