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In the case of Marc Guéhi, a fleeting spark of self-doubt was natural. The Selhurst Park defender had shone for England at the European Championships, establishing himself as a key selection under the previous manager, and his status stayed intact after the caretaker coach’s tenure in the first half of last season.

Then came the new boss, and it is worth remembering that this was the coach who had approved Guéhi’s sale from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021. Guéhi definitely remembered that. Did 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, with Guéhi as an uninvolved reserve, it did not look promising.

The manager selected Guéhi in the following game, versus Latvia, again at Wembley, before he was not able to select him for his next gathering in June, which took in the fixtures versus Andorra on the road and Senegal in Nottingham. Guéhi had suffered an eye injury during Palace’s memorable FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

The thing Guéhi did next was exactly what he always does – remain completely in the moment, as balanced as possible. Which would serve him well during a dramatic end to the offseason window when the club chairman, Steve Parish, prevented his planned move to Liverpool.

The following day, Guéhi joined up 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 internal turmoil. It is hard not to see that gathering and those games as a turning point for Guéhi, the time when he won Tuchel around. The 25-year-old was selected in each and was particularly impressive in the 5-0 win over Serbia, even adding his first international goal.

The faith cuts both ways. Tuchel has this knack of drawing players in, of supporting them; it was a primary reasons why the FA appointed him. “In my view what the manager has done is demonstrate a lot of faith in each of us,” Guéhi says. “Any time we receive the opportunity, we want to display what we can achieve.”

Faith as the Theme

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

It was, simply, the most remarkable demonstration of confidence in the players from the previous get‑together, those who had traveled to Serbia and ignited Tuchel’s reign. Each of the 24 who are fit have been retained – 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 less serious one.

Tuchel’s Choices and Squad Unity

Tuchel’s choice to omit the fit-again Jude Bellingham has led the conversation – to the extent that the exclusion of Phil Foden, who is also fully recovered, has been made as a bit of a afterthought.

What must not be ignored – and what Tuchel hopes won’t be ignored – is how he has supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was a last-minute addition in September to replace the injured Adam Wharton, even though Loftus-Cheek having surrendered his place in Milan’s Serie A side. Or how he kept Jarell Quansah, who came in for the unavailable John Stones in September, although the latter now being OK and in the squad. However, Quansah himself was forced to exit on Wednesday because of a knock.

Here is how a coach builds a meritocracy, how he forges connections. Tuchel loved the unit 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 question? Tuchel has effectively turned it into one for this camp – and he believes in an upside in the signal he has sent. Reputations will not sway him. Being a supportive colleague will.

Creating a Brotherhood

Coinciding with perfect timing that Steven Gerrard opened up in an interview with his ex England teammate Rio Ferdinand on Tuesday, revealing how self-centered and divided their so-called talented era squad 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 “close-knit group” within the squad before his first game.

“There isn’t any tension between anyone,” Guéhi says. “We are, as we put it when we’re here, Team England. Whatever has happened in the before or what is occurring in the season, you put that aside. You arrive 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 consistently great when we’re here. The football association, previous managers and the squad themselves, the backroom team, have done a fantastic job at creating an spirit. Additionally, it comes down to the individuals to actually embrace that. I think each member has accepted that superbly because I enjoy so much 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 fans. Those versus Albania and Latvia were solid sufficient; the victories positive, the first steps on the path to the World Cup next year. But they were not thrillers. Can the team build on the intensity they displayed in Serbia? The final words go to Guéhi.

“For me, worrying is a normal human emotion,” he says about not playing in Albania. “But I was picked in that group. It signifies that the boss has opted for me for this chance and if I’m starting or not I’ll always support the team.

“So for me, fretting can be a futile effort. You don’t have many moments on this planet. I’d rather be positive and focused and assist the people that I can – or help myself – by striving to be the best that I can be instead of worrying.”