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For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of self-doubt was understandable. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a first-choice selection under the previous manager, and his standing remained secure after the caretaker coach’s spell in the first half of last season.

Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is worth remembering that this was the coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the lineup for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t promising.

Tuchel started Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his next gathering in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his absence from Albania. “As you’d expect, new manager coming in … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to look like, who knows who is going to play?”

What Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – remain firmly in the moment, as balanced as he could be. This approach would serve him well during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, blocked his planned transfer 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 matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel over. The young defender started in both and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his first international goal.

The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main reasons why the FA hired him. “In my view what the manager has done is show a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we do get the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”

Faith as the Central Idea

Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and devoutly 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 squad selection.

It was, quite, the most remarkable show of support in the players from the last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. 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 forced to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.

Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s decision to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.

That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A team. 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 group. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

Here is how a manager builds a performance-based culture, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he aimed 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 delivered. Past accolades will not influence him. Being a good teammate will.

Building a Brotherhood

Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an interview with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how self-centered and clique-ridden their so-called golden generation squad was. The talent was not in question; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his first game.

“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has gone on in the before or what is occurring in the campaign, you put that behind. You arrive here, these are your best friends, your colleagues, the players that you battle with for however long you’re here.

“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have done a excellent role at creating an spirit. Additionally, it depends on the individuals to truly buy into that. In my opinion each member has accepted that brilliantly because I love immensely coming here and I am sure the rest of the players feel the same, too.”

Looking Ahead

What Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins welcome, the initial progress on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Will the team build on the intensity they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.

“For me, worrying is a natural feeling,” he states 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 if I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.

“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You only get so many days on this planet. I prefer to be positive and concentrated and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by being the best that I can be rather than stressing.”