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For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had excelled for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key pick under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained secure following the caretaker coach’s tenure in the first half of last season.

Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is important to recall that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the lineup for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t great.

Tuchel selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which included the matches against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to almost question that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission against Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to be, it’s unknown who is going to play?”

What Guéhi did next was exactly what he typically does – stay completely in the present, as balanced as possible. Which would serve him well during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his planned transfer to Liverpool.

The following day, Guéhi reported with England for the matches against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a man possessed. Not a soul would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The young defender was selected in each and was especially impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.

The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was one of the main factors why the FA hired him. “I think what the manager has achieved is demonstrate a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the opportunity, we aim to display what we can achieve.”

Belief as the Central Idea

Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and deeply Christian. England face Wales in a friendly 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 stunning show of support in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. 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 forced to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.

The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s choice to overlook the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, 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, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being fit and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

Here is how a manager creates a performance-based culture, how he builds connections. Tuchel admired the team behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this session – and he sees an positive in the signal he has sent. Reputations will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.

Building a Strong Unit

Coinciding with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an discussion with his ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation team was. The talent was not in doubt; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the squad before his first game.

“There’s any tension between anyone,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has gone on in the before or whatever is occurring in the season, you put that behind. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you battle with for as long as you’re here.

“The environment is always great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic role at creating an atmosphere. Then again, it comes down to the individuals to truly embrace that. In my opinion every single person has bought into that superbly because I love so much being here and I know the rest of the lads do, too.”

Future Focus

That which Tuchel wants against Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those versus Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the wins positive, the initial progress on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side build on the intensity they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.

“In my case, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he says about not playing against Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m starting or not I’ll always support the team.

“So personally, fretting can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this earth. I’d rather be excited and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the best that I can be instead of stressing.”