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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a momentary spark of self-doubt was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had excelled for England at the European Championships, cementing himself as a key pick under Gareth Southgate, and his standing remained secure after the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.

Enter the new boss, which is worth remembering that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly remembered that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, versus Albania at Wembley in March, leaving Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it wasn’t promising.

The manager selected Guéhi in the next game, against Latvia, also 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 suffered an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s normal for every player to almost doubt that,” Guéhi states, reflecting on his absence against Albania. “As you’d expect, new manager arriving … it’s unclear what the squad’s going to be, who knows who’s going to play?”

What Guéhi then did was what he typically does – stay completely in the present, as balanced as he could be. Which would benefit him during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his proposed move to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a demon. 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 period when he earned Tuchel over. The 25-year-old started in both and was especially good in the five-nil win against Serbia, even adding his maiden strike for his country.

The trust works both ways. Tuchel has this knack of drawing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary factors why the Football Association appointed him. “I think what the manager has achieved is demonstrate a lot of belief in every single one of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the chance, we aim to show what we can do.”

Belief as the Theme

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

It was, simply, the most remarkable show of support in the players from the previous camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Each of the 24 who are fit have been kept – so not Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Choices and Squad Dynamics

Tuchel’s choice to overlook the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the discourse – to the point that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a something of a footnote.

That which should not be overlooked – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be missed – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot 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 squad. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager builds a meritocracy, how he builds connections. Tuchel loved the team behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he aimed to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is that a debate? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this camp – and he sees an upside in the message he has sent. Reputations will not influence him. Being a supportive colleague will.

Building a Strong Unit

It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his former England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their so-called golden generation team was. The ability was not in question; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to fix this. He was speaking about a “close-knit group” within the team before his initial match.

“There isn’t any animosity between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we say when we’re here, the England squad. No matter has gone on in the before or whatever is occurring in the campaign, you put that behind. You come here, these become your closest allies, your colleagues, the players that you battle with for as long as you’re here.

“The atmosphere is always positive when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the players themselves, the backroom team, have done a excellent role at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the players to actually buy into that. I think every single person has accepted that brilliantly because I love so much coming here and I know the rest of the players do, too.”

Looking Ahead

What Tuchel wants against Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the wins welcome, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Will the team build on the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The last thoughts belong to Guéhi.

“For me, anxiety is a normal human emotion,” he states about being benched in Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It means that the manager has opted for me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll still back the team.

“So for me, worrying can be a waste of time. You don’t have many moments on this earth. I prefer to be excited and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or help myself – by being the finest that I can be rather than worrying.”