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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of uncertainty was understandable. The Crystal Palace defender had shone for England at the European Championships, cementing himself as a key selection under the previous manager, and his status stayed intact after the caretaker coach’s spell in the initial part of last season.

Then came Thomas Tuchel, which is worth remembering that this was the manager who had sanctioned Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the offseason of 2021. Guéhi certainly recalled that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership brought another defender into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it wasn’t great.

The manager started Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his next gathering in June, which took in the matches against Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an eye injury during his club’s memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

“I’d say it’s natural for every player to practically question that,” Guéhi says, looking back at his absence from Albania. “As you’d expect, fresh coach coming in … who knows what the team’s going to be, it’s unknown who’s going to feature?”

What Guéhi then did was what he typically does – stay completely in the moment, as composed as possible. This approach would benefit him during a hectic end to the offseason window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, blocked his planned move to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi joined up with England for the games versus Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he worked like a demon. Not a soul would have known about any internal turmoil. It is difficult not to see that gathering and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the period when he won Tuchel around. The young defender started in each and was especially good in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even contributing his maiden strike for his country.

The trust cuts both ways. Tuchel has this knack of bringing players in, of empowering them; it was a primary reasons why the Football Association appointed him. “I think what the manager has achieved is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Any time we receive the chance, we aim to display what we can achieve.”

Belief as the Theme

Faith is the theme – and not just because Guéhi is the son of a church minister and deeply Christian. England face 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, quite, the most stunning show of support in the players from the last get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s tenure. Every one of the 24 who are available have been kept – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have serious injuries. Or Reece James, who was forced to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Decisions and Team Unity

His choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has dominated the conversation – to the point that the omission of Phil Foden, who is also fully recovered, has been made as a something of a afterthought.

That which should not be ignored – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a late call-up in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, despite Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his spot in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he retained Jarell Quansah, who came in for the injured John Stones in September, despite the latter now being OK and in the group. Though, Quansah himself was compelled to withdraw on Wednesday because of a knee injury.

Here is how a coach builds a performance-based culture, how he forges bonds. Tuchel admired the team supporting the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a debate? Tuchel has essentially made it one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the signal he has sent. Past accolades will not sway him. Acting as a good teammate will.

Creating a Brotherhood

It was with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an discussion with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how egotistical and divided their so-called talented era team was. The talent 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 “close-knit group” within the squad before his initial match.

“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 past or what is going on in the season, you put that aside. You come here, these become your best friends, your colleagues, the players that you go to war with for however long you’re here.

“The environment is always great when we’re here. The FA, past coaches and the players themselves, the staff, have done a fantastic role at fostering an atmosphere. Additionally, it comes down to the players to truly buy into that. In my opinion each member has bought into that brilliantly because I love so much being here and I know the others of the lads do, too.”

Future Focus

What Tuchel wants versus Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady enough; the victories positive, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Will the side continue the cut and thrust they showed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.

“In my case, anxiety is a normal feeling,” he says about not playing in Albania. “But I was picked in that squad. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll still support the team.

“So for me, fretting can be a futile effort. You only get so many moments on this earth. I’d rather be excited and focused and help the teammates that I can – or improve personally – by being the finest that I can be instead of worrying.”