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Should Bellingham hopes to earn his place back into the English best squad, he would be wise to do away with the nonsense. His reaction after noticing that his number was about to come up after a match of uneven play in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I’d rather not blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the players who substitute on," commented the coach. "Decisions are made and you must accept them as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no call for an outburst. Harry Kane had just put the Three Lions two goals ahead in an inconsequential match, with only six minutes remaining and he, following an inconsistent display, received a caution for a foul on Armando Broja. This could scarcely be called a controversial substitution. Indeed it would have been foolish for the head coach to not substitute him because there was a chance Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the opening game of the competition by receiving a another booking.

Drawing Attention to Himself

But Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. There was no disguising the young midfielder's frustration when he clocked that he would be substituted for another player. He flung his arms in the air and even though he exchanged a handshake while heading to the bench it was clear that the manager was not impressed.

Here lies the test for Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to nod home the team's second, but everything else was harmful to his cause. It is not as if protesting was going to change Tuchel’s mind. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the value of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

He, omitted from the team last month, has faced close inspection since coming back to the team this month. Practically his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him by reacting to being taken off as the national team wrapped up a perfect qualifying campaign by overcoming a tough opposition from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

As a result it's unclear on if the squad operate most effectively with Bellingham in the team. The performance was open to interpretation. Some new ideas were tested by the coach in the beginning. He has provided England a clear system lately, building with a No 6, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton made his first start at this level and the positioning of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was passing resemblance to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. He made many hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation against an opponent at the beginning. England were ragged after halftime. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham gave the ball away. His booking came after an opponent took the ball from Broja and fouled Broja.

Depth Makes the Difference

In the end England’s depth made the difference. The coach brought on Foden, who seemed more naturally fitted to the spot in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka provided a set-piece for Kane to break the deadlock. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks will play a key role at the World Cup.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was a little lost due to the fuss of the player change. At the end, the focus was on Bellingham. Tuchel came over from behind and pushed the player to acknowledge the travelling England fans. The bond between them is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to abandon the player just yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him a starring role is still uncertain.