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For Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of uncertainty was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained intact after Lee Carsley’s spell in the first half of last season.

Enter the new boss, which is important to recall that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s transfer from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the lineup for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look promising.

Tuchel selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to select him for his second camp 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 over Manchester City.

“In my opinion it’s normal for every player to practically doubt that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his absence against Albania. “You know, new manager coming in … it’s unclear what the team’s going to be, who knows who is going to play?”

The thing Guéhi then did was exactly what he typically does – stay completely in the present, as composed as possible. This approach would serve him well during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his proposed transfer to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi reported with England for the matches versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a man possessed. 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 time when he earned Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in both and was especially impressive in the five-nil win against 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 one of the main reasons why the FA appointed him. “In my view what the gaffer has achieved is demonstrate a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we do get the opportunity, we aim to display what we can do.”

Belief as the Central Idea

Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a pastor and deeply Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to face Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier 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 last camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Each 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 obliged to pull out on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Choices and Team Dynamics

Tuchel’s decision to overlook 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 afterthought.

That which must not be overlooked – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite 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 squad. However, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.

Here is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he forges connections. Tuchel loved the unit supporting the team in Serbia, the unheralded contributors on the bench, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this session – and he believes in an upside in the signal he has delivered. Past accolades will not influence him. Acting as a good teammate will.

Building a Strong Unit

Coinciding with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an interview with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and divided their much-hyped golden generation team was. The talent was not in question; it was the environment that limited them and Tuchel is determined to get this right. He was speaking 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, the England squad. No matter has happened in the before or what is going on in the campaign, you put that aside. You come here, these become your closest allies, your teammates, the players that you go to war with for however long you’re here.

“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the players themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent job at fostering an spirit. Then again, it depends on the individuals to actually buy into that. In my opinion every single person has bought into that brilliantly because I enjoy immensely being here and I know the others of the lads feel the same, too.”

Future Focus

What Tuchel expects against Wales is a performance that excites the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were solid enough; the victories welcome, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Can the team continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.

“In my case, anxiety is a natural human emotion,” he says about not playing against Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It signifies that the manager has opted for me for this opportunity and whether I’m starting or not I’ll always back the team.

“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many days on this earth. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the finest that I can be instead of worrying.”