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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting flicker of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park centre‑half had excelled for England at Euro 2024, cementing himself as a key pick under Gareth Southgate, and his status remained secure following the caretaker coach’s spell in the first half of last season.

Then came the new boss, and it is important to recall that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Was Tuchel fancy him? When the fresh leadership swept another defender into the starting XI for his debut in charge, against Albania at Wembley in March, with Guéhi as an unused substitute, it did not look promising.

The manager started Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, also at Wembley, before he was unable to pick him for his next gathering in June, which included the fixtures versus Andorra away and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had sustained an facial knock during his club’s historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

“In my opinion it’s natural for any footballer 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 look like, it’s unknown who’s going to play?”

The thing Guéhi did next was what he typically does – remain completely in the present, as balanced as he could be. This approach would benefit him during a hectic end to the summer transfer window when the Palace chair, Steve Parish, prevented his planned transfer to Liverpool.

The next day, Guéhi joined up with England for the matches against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade and he trained like a man possessed. Nobody would have been aware about any personal doubts. It is hard not to see that camp and those matches as a pivotal moment for Guéhi, the time when he earned Tuchel around. The 25-year-old was selected in each and was particularly impressive in the 5-0 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 done is show a lot of belief in each of us,” Guéhi comments. “Whenever we receive the chance, we want to display what we can do.”

Faith as the Central Idea

Faith is the focus – and not just because Guéhi is the child of a church minister and devoutly Christian. England meet Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday night before traveling to Riga to face Latvia in their sixth World Cup qualifying tie next Tuesday and Tuchel has shaped it all with his player choices.

It was, simply, the most stunning show of confidence in the players from the previous camp, those who had traveled to Serbia and sparked Tuchel’s reign. Every one of the 24 who are fit have been kept – so excluding Tino Livramento or Noni Madueke, who have long-term issues. Or Reece James, who was obliged to withdraw on Monday because of a more minor one.

The Manager’s Decisions and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the extent that the omission of Phil Foden, who is likewise fully recovered, has been rendered as a bit of a footnote.

What should not be ignored – 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 replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having lost 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 group. Though, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

This is how a manager creates a meritocracy, how he forges bonds. Tuchel loved the team behind the team in Serbia, the unsung heroes on the sidelines, and he wanted to recognize them. Bellingham or Loftus‑Cheek? Is it even a question? Tuchel has essentially turned it into one for this session – and he sees an upside in the signal he has sent. Reputations will not influence him. Being a supportive colleague will.

Creating a Brotherhood

It was with good timing that Steven Gerrard spoke candidly in an discussion with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, disclosing how egotistical and clique-ridden their much-hyped talented era squad 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 “brotherhood” within the squad before his first game.

“There’s any animosity between anyone,” Guéhi explains. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the past or whatever is going on in the campaign, you put that aside. You come here, these are your closest allies, your teammates, the guys that you go to war with for as long as you’re here.

“The atmosphere is consistently great when we’re here. The football association, past coaches and the players themselves, the staff, have done a excellent role at creating an spirit. Additionally, it depends on the players to truly buy into that. In my opinion every single person has accepted that superbly because I enjoy so much being here and I know the others of the lads do, too.”

Future Focus

That which Tuchel wants against Wales is a showing that stirs the Wembley crowd. Those against Albania and Latvia were steady sufficient; the victories welcome, the initial progress on the road to the World Cup next year. But they were not pulse‑quickeners. Can the team build on the cut and thrust they displayed in Serbia? The last thoughts go to Guéhi.

“In my case, worrying is a normal feeling,” he states about not playing against Albania. “But I was selected in that squad. It means that the boss has opted for me for this chance and if I’m playing or not I’ll always back the team.

“So for me, worrying can be a futile effort. You only get so many moments on this earth. I’d rather be positive and concentrated and help the teammates that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the best that I can be rather than stressing.”