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If Jude Bellingham hopes to earn his place back into England’s top team, the smart move to cut out the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted after noticing that his number was being shown after an evening of uneven play in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I’d rather not make more out of it but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the players who come in," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you need to comply being a professional."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no call for an outburst. The captain had recently scored to make the national team two goals ahead in an inconsequential qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and he, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for fouling an opponent. This was hardly a questionable change. In fact it would have been unwise for the manager to leave Bellingham on given that there was a chance the midfielder would rule himself out of the opening game of the tournament by receiving a another booking.

Shifting Focus to Himself

But Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the player's frustration when he clocked that he was going to make way for another player. He threw his arms up and while he accepted the coach's hand on his way to the sideline it was obvious that Tuchel was displeased.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He applauded Rashford for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to head in his second goal, but everything else was counterproductive. It's not like protesting was going to alter the decision. The German has talked so much about following squad protocols and the value of behaving correctly.

Under Scrutiny

He, left out of the team last month, has faced close inspection upon his return to the fold this month. In effect he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours through his behavior to his substitution as the national team completed a ideal group stage by seeing off a spirited effort from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

This implies opinions are divided on how the squad operate most effectively including Bellingham. The evidence here was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things by the coach in the beginning. He has given England a clear system lately, using a holding player, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and specialist wingers, but the approach changed in this match. Quansah was given his first cap, the midfielder started for the first time at this level and the positioning of the defender as a part-time midfielder created a faint echo to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for Eberechi 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 early on. The team looked disjointed for much of the second half. One Albania chance followed Bellingham squandered possession. His booking occurred when he was dispossessed from Broja and fouled the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end England’s depth was decisive. The coach brought on Phil Foden, who appeared more naturally fitted to the position in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and Saka. Later Saka whipped in a corner for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It highlighted that corners and free-kicks will be crucial at the World Cup.

Connection Remains

However, Bellingham was the story. The quality of the winger's delivery for Kane's goal was somewhat overlooked due to the fuss of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, the focus was on the midfielder. The coach approached from behind and directed the player in the direction of the away supporters. Their relationship is not broken. The coach isn't ready to discard the player just yet. But if the coach is prepared to offer him a starring role is still uncertain.