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If Jude Bellingham hopes to force his way once again into the English strongest team, it would be smart to do away with the nonsense. His reaction when he saw that his number was going up after a match of mixed performance in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I’d rather not make more out of it but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the squad members who come in," Tuchel said. "Substitutions happen and you must accept them when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no call for an outburst. Kane had just put England leading by two in an inconsequential fixture, the game had six minutes to go and the player, following an inconsistent display, had just been booked for fouling the Albanian striker. This was hardly a controversial substitution. Actually it would have been unwise for the head coach to not substitute him considering there was a chance Bellingham would rule himself out of the first match of the competition by receiving a another booking.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s disappointment as he realized that he would be substituted for Morgan Rogers. He flung his arms in the air and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the bench it was clear that the manager was displeased.

This represents the hurdle for Bellingham. He applauded Rashford for delivering the cross for the captain to score his second of the night, but everything else was harmful to his cause. There was no chance complaining was going to alter the decision. The German has stressed repeatedly respecting team hierarchies and the value of behaving correctly.

Under Scrutiny

The midfielder, not included in last month’s squad, is being watched carefully after returning to the fold in the current camp. Practically his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to his substitution as England rounded off a ideal group stage by defeating a tough opposition from Albania.

The System and the Setup

As a result it's unclear 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 at the start. He has given the squad structure and clarity lately, employing a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but the approach changed in this match. Jarell Quansah was handed his international debut, the midfielder started for the first time internationally and the positioning of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder gave a faint echo to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but at times seemed too desperate to impress. He made many poorly executed passes. An unnecessary confrontation against an opponent early on. England's play was messy for much of the second half. A scoring chance for the opponents came after he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card occurred when he lost the ball to Broja and brought down the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

In the end England’s depth proved crucial. The coach brought on Foden, who appeared more comfortable to the spot in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. Eventually Saka delivered a corner for Kane to break the deadlock. It highlighted that corners and free-kicks will play a key role at the World Cup.

Relationship Not Broken

However, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was partly forgotten due to the fuss of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on Bellingham. Tuchel walked up behind him and guided Bellingham towards the away supporters. Their connection remains intact. The coach isn't ready to discard him at this stage. Yet whether he is willing to offer him the central position is not guaranteed.