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For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a key selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained secure after Lee Carsley’s spell in the first half of last season.

Then came the new boss, and it is worth remembering that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought Dan Burn into the lineup for his debut in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t promising.

The manager started Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his next gathering in June, which included the matches against Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during Palace’s historic FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s natural for every player to almost question that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “You know, new manager coming in … who knows what the squad’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”

What Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – remain completely in the moment, as composed as possible. This approach would serve him well during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, blocked his planned move to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi reported with England for the games versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Nobody would have known about any internal turmoil. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he earned Tuchel over. The young defender was selected in both 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 drawing players in, of empowering them; it was one of the main factors why the FA appointed him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we receive the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”

Faith as the Central Idea

Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a pastor and devoutly Christian. England meet Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to play Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier next Tuesday and Tuchel has framed it all with his squad selection.

It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration of confidence in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had gone to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are available have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a less serious one.

Tuchel’s Decisions and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s choice to omit the returned Jude Bellingham has led the discourse – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been made as a something of a footnote.

That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel does not want missed – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who stepped up for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager builds a performance-based culture, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the unit behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he aimed 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 upside in the signal he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a good teammate will.

Creating a Brotherhood

Coinciding with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and clique-ridden their much-hyped talented era squad was. The ability was not in doubt; it was the atmosphere that limited them and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was speaking about a “brotherhood” within the team before his first game.

“There’s any tension between anybody,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. No matter has happened in the before or whatever is going on in the season, you put that behind. You come here, these become your closest allies, your colleagues, the players that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.

“The atmosphere is always great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the staff, have performed a fantastic job at fostering an atmosphere. Additionally, it comes down to the players to actually buy into that. I think every single person 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 against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley fans. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the wins positive, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side build on the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.

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

“So personally, fretting can be a waste of time. You only get so many moments on this planet. I’d rather be positive and concentrated and assist the teammates that I can – or help myself – by being the best that I can be instead of stressing.”