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For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of uncertainty was natural. The Crystal Palace centre‑half had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under the previous manager, and his status stayed intact after Lee Carsley’s spell in the initial part of last season.

Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the new broom brought Dan Burn into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t great.

The manager started Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his second camp in June, which took in the matches against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

“In my opinion it’s normal for any footballer to almost doubt that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “You know, fresh coach arriving … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”

The thing Guéhi did next was what he always does – remain completely in the present, as composed as possible. This approach 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 reported with England for the games against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a demon. Not a soul would have known about any personal doubts. It is difficult not to see that camp and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The 25-year-old was selected in each and was particularly good in the five-nil win against Serbia, even adding his first international goal.

The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main factors why the Football Association appointed him. “In my view what the manager has done is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the chance, we want to show what we can do.”

Faith as the Theme

Trust is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England face Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his player choices.

It was, simply, the most remarkable show of support in the players from the previous camp, those who had gone to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are available have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was obliged to pull out on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Choices and Squad Unity

His choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also fully recovered, has been rendered as a something of a footnote.

That which must not be ignored – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the hurt 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 unavailable John Stones in September, despite the latter now being fit and in the squad. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knee injury.

Here is how a coach builds a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he aimed to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this session – and he sees an positive in the message he has sent. Reputations will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.

Creating a Strong Unit

It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation squad was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the environment that held them back and Tuchel is determined to fix this. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his initial match.

“There’s any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has happened in the past or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you put that behind. You arrive here, these become your closest allies, your colleagues, the guys that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.

“The environment is consistently positive when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the players themselves, the staff, have performed a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Then again, it depends on the individuals to truly embrace that. In my opinion every single person has accepted that brilliantly because I enjoy so much being here and I am sure the rest of the lads feel the same, too.”

Future Focus

What Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the victories welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the side continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.

“For me, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he states about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this chance and whether I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.

“So personally, worrying can be a waste of time. You only get so many days on this earth. I prefer to be positive and focused and help the people that I can – or help myself – by being the finest that I can be instead of stressing.”