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For Bellingham to aims to earn his place once again into the English top starting eleven, he would be wise to cut out the dramatics. The way he reacted after noticing that the substitute board was about to come up following a night of uneven play in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'behaviour is key' and consideration for the squad members who come in," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you need to comply as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for an outburst. Harry Kane had recently scored to make England 2-0 up in an inconsequential qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and the player, after a below-par performance, received a caution for bringing down Armando Broja. This was hardly a controversial substitution. Actually it would have been unwise for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that it was possible he would rule himself out of the first match of the competition by getting a another booking.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the young midfielder's annoyance when he clocked that he would be substituted for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the touchline there was no doubt that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He praised Marcus Rashford for delivering the cross for the captain to head in the team's second, but everything else was harmful to his cause. It is not as if complaining was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the value of showing proper conduct.

Under Scrutiny

The midfielder, left out of the team last month, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the squad in the current camp. Practically he was being assessed and he hasn't helped his case with his response to being taken off as England rounded off a flawless qualification run by seeing off a spirited effort from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

This implies the jury is out on if the team perform optimally with Bellingham in the team. The performance was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested from the manager in the beginning. He has given the team organization and direction over the past few matches, building with a No 6, a central midfielder, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton started for the first time at this level and the role of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was faint echo to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He made a chance for Eze in the latter period but at times seemed too desperate to impress. Several hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged after halftime. One Albania chance came after Bellingham squandered possession. His caution occurred when an opponent took the ball by Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end the squad's strength made the difference. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed better suited to the spot in which Bellingham operated earlier in the match, and the Arsenal winger. Eventually Saka whipped in a corner for the captain to score the first goal. It highlighted that dead-ball situations will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Bridge Still Stands

However, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was somewhat overlooked due to the fuss of the player change. When the match concluded, everyone was watching Bellingham. The coach approached behind him and directed Bellingham to acknowledge the away supporters. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon the player just yet. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to offer him centre stage remains in doubt.