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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a momentary flicker of uncertainty was understandable. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at Euro 2024, establishing himself as a first-choice selection under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained secure after the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.

Enter Thomas Tuchel, which is worth remembering that this was the manager who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely recalled that. Was Tuchel rate him? When the fresh leadership swept another defender into the lineup for his first game in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it did not look great.

The manager started 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 included the matches versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

“In my opinion it’s normal for any footballer to practically question that,” Guéhi states, looking back at his omission from Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach arriving … who knows what the squad’s going to be, it’s unknown who is going to feature?”

What Guéhi then did was exactly what he always does – stay firmly in the present, as balanced as he could be. This approach would serve him well during a dramatic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his planned 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 man possessed. Nobody 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 earned Tuchel around. The young defender started in each and was especially good in the five-nil win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.

The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this ability of bringing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association hired him. “In my view what the manager has achieved is show a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we do get the chance, we want to show what we can do.”

Belief as the Theme

Faith is the focus – and not only because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and deeply Christian. England face Wales in a exhibition at Wembley on Thursday night before going to Riga to play 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 show of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are available have been retained – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was forced to pull out on Monday because of a less serious one.

Tuchel’s Decisions and Team Unity

His decision to overlook the returned Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise back to fitness, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.

That which should not be overlooked – and what Tuchel does not want ignored – is how he has stood by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to cover for the hurt Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having lost his spot in Milan’s Serie A team. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the former now being OK and in the squad. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager creates a performance-based culture, how he builds connections. Tuchel admired the team behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he aimed to reward them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has effectively made it one for this session – and he sees an positive in the message he has sent. Past accolades 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 ex England colleague Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called talented era team was. The ability was not in question; it was the atmosphere that held them back and Tuchel is set to get this right. He was talking about a “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.

“There’s any animosity between anybody,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. No matter has happened in the before or whatever is occurring in the campaign, 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 consistently great when we’re here. The FA, previous managers and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have done a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Then again, it comes down to the individuals to actually buy into that. I think every single person has accepted that brilliantly because I love so much being here and I know the others of the players feel the same, too.”

Future Focus

What Tuchel wants versus Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the wins welcome, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next summer. But they were not thrillers. Can the team build on the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The final words belong to Guéhi.

“For me, worrying is a natural human emotion,” he says about being benched against Albania. “But I was selected in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this opportunity and whether I’m playing or not I’ll still back the team.

“So personally, worrying can be a futile effort. You don’t have many days on this earth. I prefer to 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.”