In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of self-doubt was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a first-choice selection under the previous manager, and his status remained intact after the caretaker coach’s tenure in the initial part of last season.
Then came Thomas Tuchel, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the new broom swept Dan Burn into the lineup for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look promising.
Tuchel started Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his next gathering in June, which took in the matches versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s memorable FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for any footballer to almost question that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his absence against Albania. “You know, fresh coach arriving … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to look like, it’s unknown who is going to play?”
What Guéhi then did was what he always does – remain completely in the moment, as balanced as he could be. Which would benefit him during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed move to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the games against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a man possessed. Nobody 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 period when he won Tuchel over. The young defender started in both and was especially good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
The faith works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main reasons why the Football Association hired him. “In my view what the gaffer has achieved is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to show what we can do.”
Faith as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and deeply Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play Latvia in their next 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 camp, those who had gone to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.
The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Dynamics
His decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been made as a bit of a afterthought.
That which must not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his spot in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being OK and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a coach builds a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel admired the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this session – and he believes in an positive in the message he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a good teammate will.
Creating a Strong Unit
Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how self-centered and divided their much-hyped talented era team was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his first game.
“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has gone on in the before or what is occurring in the campaign, you leave that behind. You arrive here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you battle with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the squad themselves, the staff, have performed a fantastic job at creating an atmosphere. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to actually buy into that. I think every single person has accepted that superbly because I enjoy immensely being here and I know the rest of the lads feel the same, too.”
Future Focus
What Tuchel wants versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins positive, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Can the team continue the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he states about not playing in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll still support the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You only get so many days on this planet. I prefer to be excited and focused and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by being the best that I can be instead of worrying.”
