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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a first-choice pick under the previous manager, and his status remained intact after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.

Then came Thomas Tuchel, and it is worth remembering that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership swept another defender into the starting XI for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t great.

The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his second camp in June, which took in the fixtures against Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during Palace’s historic FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s natural for every player to almost doubt that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission from Albania. “You know, fresh coach coming in … who knows what the squad’s going to be, who knows who’s going to play?”

The thing Guéhi then did was exactly what he typically does – stay completely in the moment, as balanced as possible. Which would serve him well during a hectic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed transfer to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi reported with England for the games versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a man possessed. Nobody would have been aware about any internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that camp and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in each and was especially impressive in the 5-0 win against Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.

The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary reasons why the FA hired him. “I think what the gaffer has achieved is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we receive the chance, we want to display what we can achieve.”

Faith as the Central Idea

Trust is the theme – and not only because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to play Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his player choices.

It was, simply, the most remarkable show of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been retained – so excluding 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.

The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Unity

His decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been made as a something of a footnote.

What should not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place 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.

This is how a manager builds a meritocracy, how he forges connections. Tuchel admired the unit supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the message he has sent. Reputations will not influence him. Acting as a supportive colleague will.

Building a Strong Unit

It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called talented era squad was. The talent was not in question; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking 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. No matter has happened in the past or whatever is going on in the campaign, you put that aside. You arrive here, these become your best friends, your teammates, the players that you battle with for as long as you’re here.

“The atmosphere is consistently great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have done a fantastic role at fostering an atmosphere. Then again, it depends on the players to truly buy into that. I think every single person has bought into that superbly because I enjoy immensely being here and I am sure the rest of the players feel the same, too.”

Future Focus

What Tuchel expects against Wales is a showing that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the wins positive, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the side build on the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.

“In my case, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he states about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this opportunity and if I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.

“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this earth. I’d rather be positive and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the finest that I can be instead of worrying.”