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For Bellingham to hopes to earn his place once again into the English best squad, the smart move to do away with the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted when he saw that his number was about to come up after a match of mixed performance in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the squad members who enter the game," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you must accept them as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a strop. Harry Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team leading by two in an inconsequential qualifier, there were six minutes left and he, after a below-par performance, was just shown a yellow for a foul on Armando Broja. It was not a controversial substitution. Indeed it would have been unwise for the manager to not substitute him given that it was possible Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the first match of the World Cup by receiving a second yellow card.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the player's disappointment as he realized that he would be substituted for Morgan Rogers. He flung his arms in the air and although he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the touchline it was obvious that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for delivering the cross for the captain to score his second goal, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It is not as if arguing was going to alter the decision. The coach has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the importance of showing proper conduct.

Under Scrutiny

He, left out of the previous squad, has faced close inspection upon his return to the fold recently. Essentially he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to coming off the pitch as England wrapped up a ideal group stage by overcoming a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

The System and the Setup

It means the jury is out on if the squad function at their best with Bellingham in the team. What we saw was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things by the coach in the beginning. Under him, England have gained the team organization and direction lately, employing a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and dedicated wide players, but the approach changed versus Albania. The young defender was given his first cap, Adam Wharton made his first start internationally and the use of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder created a faint echo to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared trying too hard. Several hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder in the early stages. The team looked disjointed for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania resulted from he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card was shown after he lost the ball by Broja and brought down the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end England’s depth proved crucial. Tuchel threw on Foden, who looked better suited to the role that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka delivered a corner for Kane to break the deadlock. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks are going to be vital at the World Cup.

Relationship Not Broken

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was somewhat overlooked due to the fuss of the substitution incident. At the end, everyone was watching the midfielder. Tuchel came over behind him and pushed Bellingham in the direction of the travelling England fans. Their connection remains intact. The coach isn't ready to discard Bellingham yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him centre stage remains in doubt.