For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at the European Championships, cementing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status stayed intact after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.
Enter the new boss, and it is worth remembering that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi certainly recalled that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the new broom brought Dan Burn into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look promising.
Tuchel selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his next gathering in June, which took in the fixtures versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during his club’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
“In my opinion it’s natural for every player to practically doubt that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his absence against Albania. “You know, new manager coming in … who knows what the squad’s going to be, it’s unknown who is going to feature?”
The thing Guéhi then did was what he typically does – stay completely in the present, as balanced as he could be. This approach would serve him well during a hectic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed 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. Not a soul would have known about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel around. The young defender was selected in both and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his first international goal.
The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was one of the main reasons why the Football Association hired him. “In my view what the gaffer has achieved is demonstrate a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we receive the opportunity, we want to show what we can achieve.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the child of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England face 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 squad selection.
It was, quite, the most stunning demonstration of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are fit have been kept – 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 more minor one.
The Manager’s Choices and Team Unity
His decision to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a something of a footnote.
That which must 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 replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. 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. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.
This is how a coach creates a meritocracy, how he builds bonds. Tuchel admired the team 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 essentially turned it into one for this camp – and he sees an upside in the message he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Strong Unit
Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and clique-ridden their much-hyped golden generation squad was. The ability was not in question; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.
“There isn’t any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has happened in the before or what is occurring in the season, you put that behind. You arrive here, these are your best friends, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.
“The environment is always great when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the players themselves, the backroom team, have performed a excellent role at creating an atmosphere. Then again, it depends on the individuals to actually embrace that. I think every single person has accepted that superbly because I enjoy immensely being here and I know the others of the players feel the same, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the wins welcome, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Can the side continue the intensity they showed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.
“In my case, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he says about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and if I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.
“So for me, fretting can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this planet. I’d rather be excited and concentrated and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by being the best that I can be rather than stressing.”
