For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of self-doubt was natural. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained intact after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.
Then came the new boss, and it is important to recall that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Did Tuchel rate 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 did not look great.
Tuchel started Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which included the matches against Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an eye injury during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to almost question that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence from Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to look like, who knows who’s going to play?”
What Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – remain firmly in the moment, as balanced as possible. This approach would benefit him during a hectic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed move to Liverpool.
The next 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 been aware about any internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that gathering and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he earned Tuchel over. The young defender started in both and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.
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 Football Association hired him. “In my view what the manager has achieved is demonstrate a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the chance, we aim to show what we can do.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England meet 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 remarkable demonstration of confidence 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 available have been kept – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.
Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Dynamics
His choice to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also 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 injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, despite the former now being OK and in the squad. However, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
This is how a manager creates a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel admired the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he aimed to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a question? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this camp – and he sees an positive in the message he has sent. Past accolades will not sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague 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 so-called golden generation squad was. The ability was not in question; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking about a “close-knit group” 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. Whatever has happened in the past or whatever is occurring in the season, you leave that behind. You come here, these become your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for however long you’re here.
“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the players themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Then again, it depends on the players to truly embrace that. I think each member has accepted that superbly because I enjoy so much being here and I am sure the rest of the players do, too.”
Future Focus
That which Tuchel wants against Wales is a showing 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 year. But they were not thrillers. Can the side build on the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“In my case, anxiety is a natural human emotion,” he says about being benched in Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this chance and if I’m playing or not I’ll always support the team.
“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You don’t have many days on this earth. I prefer to be excited and focused and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by being the finest that I can be instead of stressing.”
