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For Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of uncertainty was natural. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a first-choice selection under the previous manager, and his status stayed intact following Lee Carsley’s spell in the initial part of last season.

Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is worth remembering that this was the coach who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Did Tuchel rate him? When the new broom brought another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it did not look promising.

The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his next gathering in June, which took in the fixtures against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s natural for any footballer to almost question that,” Guéhi says, reflecting on his omission against Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the team’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”

What Guéhi then did was what he typically does – remain firmly in the present, as balanced as possible. Which would benefit him during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented 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 worked like a demon. Nobody would have known about any internal turmoil. It is difficult not to see that camp and those games as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel over. The 25-year-old was selected in both and was especially good in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his first international goal.

The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this ability of drawing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the FA appointed him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of faith in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we receive the opportunity, we aim to display what we can do.”

Belief as the Theme

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

It was, simply, the most stunning demonstration 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 fit 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 less serious one.

Tuchel’s Decisions and Team Dynamics

His decision to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a bit of a afterthought.

What should not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, despite the former now being fit and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was forced to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager creates a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel admired the team behind the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the sidelines, and he wanted to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the message he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a good teammate will.

Creating a Strong Unit

Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and clique-ridden their so-called talented era squad 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 “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.

“There isn’t any tension between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, Team England. No matter has gone on in the past or what is going on in the season, you put that aside. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you battle with for as long as you’re here.

“The environment is always great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the players themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent job at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the individuals to truly embrace that. In my opinion each member has accepted that superbly because I enjoy so much being here and I am sure the others of the players feel the same, too.”

Looking Ahead

What Tuchel wants against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the wins positive, the initial progress on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the side build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.

“For me, worrying is a natural feeling,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and whether I’m starting or not I’ll always support the team.

“So personally, fretting can be a futile effort. You don’t have many days on this earth. I prefer to be positive and focused and help the people that I can – or improve personally – by striving to be the finest that I can be instead of stressing.”