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If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place once again into the English top team, he would be wise to eliminate the unnecessary reactions. His reaction upon realizing that his number was going up after an evening of inconsistency in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I prefer not to overstate it but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the teammates who substitute on," Tuchel said. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for an outburst. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the national team two goals ahead in a dead rubber match, the game had six minutes to go and the player, following an inconsistent display, received a caution for bringing down the Albanian striker. It was not a questionable change. Actually it would have been unwise for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a risk the midfielder would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the World Cup by getting a another booking.

Turning the Spotlight to Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s disappointment as he realized that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and although he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the touchline it was obvious that the manager did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He praised Marcus Rashford for providing the assist for Harry Kane to score the team's second, but the rest was self-defeating. It's not like protesting was going to reverse the substitution. The German has repeatedly emphasized respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of showing proper conduct.

Under Scrutiny

He, not included in the previous squad, is being watched carefully after returning to the team this month. Essentially his place has been in question and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to his substitution as the national team completed a perfect qualifying campaign by overcoming a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

This implies the jury is out on how the team perform optimally when Bellingham plays. The performance was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel in the beginning. He has provided the team structure and clarity in recent months, building with a No 6, a No 8, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but the approach changed versus Albania. Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton started for the first time at this level and the use of Stones as a part-time midfielder meant there was faint echo to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He set up a shot for his teammate after the break but often looked overly eager to shine. He made many rushed, misplaced passes. A pointless clash with a rival player in the early stages. The team looked disjointed for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham squandered possession. His caution was shown after an opponent took the ball by Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Substitutes Decide

Finally the squad's strength was decisive. The coach brought on the Manchester City player, who appeared more comfortable to the spot occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. Later Saka delivered a set-piece for the captain to break the deadlock. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks will be crucial at the World Cup.

Bridge Still Stands

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The excellence of the winger's delivery for Kane’s header was partly forgotten due to the fuss of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, all eyes were on the midfielder. The coach approached behind him and directed Bellingham in the direction of the away supporters. The bond between them remains intact. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon him at this stage. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him centre stage remains in doubt.