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If Jude Bellingham hopes to force his way once again into the English top squad, he would be wise to do away with the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted after noticing that the substitute board was going up after a match of uneven play in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I prefer not to blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect towards the teammates who enter the game," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you need to comply as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for a strop. Harry Kane had just put the Three Lions 2-0 up in an inconsequential qualifier, there were six minutes left and he, following an inconsistent display, was just shown a yellow for a foul on Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. Actually it would have been foolish for the head coach to not substitute him considering it was possible he would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the tournament by getting a second caution.

Drawing Attention on Himself

However, the player turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s annoyance upon understanding that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and while he exchanged a handshake while heading to the bench it was clear that the head coach was not impressed.

Here lies the test for Bellingham. He praised Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to nod home his second of the night, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It is not as if protesting was going to alter the decision. The coach has repeatedly emphasized respecting team hierarchies and the importance of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, left out of the team last month, is being watched carefully after returning to the fold in the current camp. Practically his place has been in question and he has not done himself any favours through his behavior to being taken off as the side rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by overcoming a spirited effort from Albania.

Tactics and Formation

It means it's unclear on whether England function at their best including Bellingham. The evidence here was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things by the coach early on. He has provided the squad organization and direction over the past few matches, using a No 6, a central midfielder, a playmaker and out-and-out wingers, but the approach changed in this match. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, the midfielder made his first start for England and the role of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was faint echo to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham had ups and downs. He set up a shot for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but at times seemed trying too hard. There were a lot of poorly executed passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player early on. The team looked disjointed after halftime. A scoring chance for the opponents came after he lost the ball cheaply. His booking came after an opponent took the ball to Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Depth Makes the Difference

Ultimately England’s depth proved crucial. The coach brought on Foden, who appeared more comfortable to the role occupied by Bellingham earlier in the match, and Saka. In time Saka provided a corner kick for Kane to break the deadlock. It highlighted that set pieces are going to be vital in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The excellence of Rashford’s assist for the second goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, everyone was watching the midfielder. Tuchel came over from behind and directed the player to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their connection remains intact. The coach isn't ready to give up on him at this stage. But if he is willing to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.