In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of self-doubt was understandable. The Crystal Palace defender had excelled for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a key pick under the previous manager, and his standing 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 coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi certainly recalled that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought Dan Burn into the lineup for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t promising.
The manager selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his second camp in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
“I’d say it’s natural for any footballer to practically doubt that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his absence from Albania. “As you’d expect, new manager coming in … who knows what the team’s going to look like, it’s unknown who’s going to feature?”
The thing Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – stay firmly in the present, as balanced as possible. Which would serve him well during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed transfer to Liverpool.
The following day, Guéhi joined up with England for the games against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Not a soul would have known about any internal turmoil. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he earned Tuchel around. The young defender was selected in both and was especially good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his first international goal.
The faith works 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. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we do get the chance, we want to show what we can do.”
Belief as the Theme
Faith is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the son of a pastor and deeply Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.
It was, quite, the most remarkable show of confidence in the players from the last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are available have been retained – 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 Team Unity
His choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been made as a bit of a footnote.
That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, despite the former now being fit and in the group. However, Quansah himself was forced to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.
Here is how a manager builds a meritocracy, how he builds bonds. Tuchel admired the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this camp – and he believes in an positive in the message he has delivered. Reputations will not sway him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.
Creating a Brotherhood
It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and clique-ridden their much-hyped talented era squad was. The ability was not in question; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was talking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his initial match.
“There isn’t any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the past or what is going on in the campaign, you put that behind. You arrive here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for however long you’re here.
“The environment is always positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have performed a fantastic role at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the individuals to actually embrace that. In my opinion every single person has accepted that superbly because I enjoy immensely being here and I am sure the rest of the players do, too.”
Future Focus
What Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the wins welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Will the side build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.
“For me, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he says about not playing in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It means that the manager has opted for me for this chance and whether I’m playing or not I’ll still support the team.
“So personally, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this planet. I’d rather be excited and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by being the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”
