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For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of uncertainty was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his standing remained intact after Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.

Enter the new boss, and it is important to recall that this was the coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Did Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought Dan Burn into the lineup for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t promising.

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

“In my opinion it’s natural for every player to practically question that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach coming in … who knows what the team’s going to look like, who knows who’s going to play?”

The thing Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – stay completely in the present, as composed as he could be. Which would serve him well during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his planned move 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. Not a soul would have known about any personal doubts. It is hard not to see that gathering and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he earned Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in each and was particularly impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.

The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was one of the main factors why the Football Association hired him. “I think what the manager has done is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Whenever we do get the chance, we aim to show what we can do.”

Faith as the Central Idea

Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England meet Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.

It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are available have been kept – 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.

Tuchel’s Choices and Squad Unity

His choice to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.

That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to cover for the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the injured 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 knee injury.

This is how a manager creates a meritocracy, how he forges bonds. Tuchel loved the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the bench, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this camp – and he believes in an positive in the message he has delivered. Past accolades will not influence him. Being a good teammate will.

Creating a Brotherhood

It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called golden generation team was. The talent was not in doubt; 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 initial match.

“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has happened in the before or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you leave that behind. You arrive here, these become your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you go to war with for however long you’re here.

“The environment is always positive when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the squad themselves, the staff, have performed a excellent role at fostering an spirit. Then again, it depends on the individuals to actually embrace that. In my opinion each member has bought into that brilliantly because I love so much being here and I know the others of the lads do, too.”

Looking Ahead

What Tuchel expects against Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the victories positive, the first steps on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Will the team continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.

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

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