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For Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of self-doubt was understandable. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had shone for England at the European Championships, cementing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his standing stayed secure following Lee Carsley’s tenure in the initial part of last season.

Then came the new boss, and it is worth remembering that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the new broom swept Dan Burn into the starting XI for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t great.

The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to pick him for his second camp in June, which took in the matches against Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during Palace’s historic FA Cup final win against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s normal for any footballer to practically question that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his absence from Albania. “You know, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”

What Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – stay firmly in the present, as balanced as he could be. Which would serve him well during a hectic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his planned 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 hard not to see that gathering and those matches as a turning point for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel around. The 25-year-old started in both and was particularly impressive in the five-nil win over Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.

The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the FA hired him. “In my view what the gaffer has done is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we do get the opportunity, we want to display what we can achieve.”

Belief as the Central Idea

Trust is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a pastor and devoutly 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 shaped it all with his squad selection.

It was, quite, the most stunning show of confidence in the players from the previous camp, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Each of the 24 who are available have been retained – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Choices and Squad Dynamics

His decision to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.

What should not be overlooked – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has stood by 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 place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the injured John Stones in September, although the latter now being OK and in the squad. However, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager builds a performance-based culture, how he builds bonds. Tuchel loved the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? 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.

Building a Strong Unit

It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how self-centered and divided their much-hyped golden generation team was. The talent was not in question; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his initial match.

“There’s any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. Whatever has happened in the before or what is occurring in the campaign, you put that behind. You come here, these become your best friends, your teammates, the players that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.

“The atmosphere is consistently positive when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have done a excellent role at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the players to actually embrace that. I think each member has bought into that superbly because I love so much coming here and I am sure the others of the players feel the same, too.”

Looking Ahead

What Tuchel expects versus Wales is a performance that stirs the Wembley fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins welcome, the initial progress on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Can the side continue the intensity they showed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.

“In my case, anxiety is a natural feeling,” he says about being benched against Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It signifies that the boss has chosen me for this chance and whether I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.

“So personally, fretting can be a waste of time. You only get so many moments 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 worrying.”