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If Jude Bellingham hopes to force his way back into England’s best squad, he would be wise to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His reaction upon realizing that he was being shown after a match of inconsistency in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I prefer not to overstate it but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the players who substitute on," commented the coach. "Decisions are made and you must accept them being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no call for a strop. Harry Kane had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions 2-0 up in an inconsequential fixture, there were six minutes left and Bellingham, who had not played particularly well, was just shown a yellow for a foul on the Albanian striker. This could scarcely be called a controversial substitution. Actually it might have been reckless for the manager to not substitute him given that there was a chance the midfielder would be suspended of the initial fixture of the World Cup by receiving a second caution.

Turning the Spotlight to Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the player's annoyance upon understanding that he was going to make way for another player. He threw his arms up and even though he exchanged a handshake while heading to the touchline it was obvious that Tuchel was displeased.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He applauded Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to score the team's second, but the rest was counterproductive. It's not like complaining was going to reverse the substitution. The German has stressed repeatedly following squad protocols and the importance of behaving correctly.

Under Scrutiny

The midfielder, omitted from the team last month, has been under scrutiny after returning to the squad in the current camp. Practically he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to coming off the pitch as England completed a flawless qualification run by seeing off a tough opposition from Albania.

The System and the Setup

This implies opinions are divided on whether England operate most effectively including Bellingham. The performance was inconclusive. Some new ideas were tested from the manager at the start. Under him, England have gained the team structure and clarity over the past few matches, employing a No 6, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and specialist wingers, but the approach changed in this match. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, the midfielder made his first start internationally and the positioning of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder gave a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He set up a shot for Eberechi Eze during the second half but often looked trying too hard. He made many poorly executed passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder in the early stages. England were ragged for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania followed he lost the ball cheaply. His booking was shown after he was dispossessed from Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

Ultimately the squad's strength was decisive. The coach brought on the Manchester City player, who looked more naturally fitted to the spot that Bellingham had played during the first half, and the Arsenal winger. Eventually Saka provided a corner for Kane to score the first goal. 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 Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on Bellingham. The coach approached behind him and pushed the player towards the travelling England fans. The bond between them is not damaged. Tuchel is not willing to abandon Bellingham yet. However, whether Tuchel is inclined to grant him the central position remains in doubt.