🔗 Share this article

Should Bellingham hopes to fight his way once again into the English strongest squad, he would be wise to eliminate the unnecessary reactions. His response upon realizing that his number was being shown after a match of uneven play in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to overstate it but I stand by my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect towards the players who come in," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Harry Kane had just put the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber match, the game had six minutes to go and he, who had not played particularly well, received a caution for fouling Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. In fact it might have been reckless for the manager to not substitute him considering there was a risk Bellingham would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the tournament by picking up a second caution.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s frustration when he clocked that he would be substituted for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and while he accepted the coach's hand on his way to the touchline there was no doubt that the manager was displeased.

Here lies the test facing Bellingham. He congratulated his teammate for sending in the ball for Kane to nod home the team's second, but his other actions was self-defeating. It is not as if protesting was going to reverse the substitution. The German has talked so much about following squad protocols and the importance of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

He, omitted from the team last month, has been under scrutiny after returning to the fold recently. In effect his place has been in question and he hasn't helped his case by reacting to being taken off as the side wrapped up a ideal group stage by overcoming a spirited effort from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

It means opinions are divided on if England perform optimally including Bellingham. The evidence here was open to interpretation. There was experimentation from the manager at the start. He has provided the squad a clear system over the past few matches, building with a holding player, a central midfielder, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton made his first start for England and the use of Stones as a makeshift midfielder created a faint echo to City's team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He created an opportunity for Eberechi Eze during the second half but at times seemed trying too hard. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. A pointless clash with an Albania midfielder early on. The team looked disjointed after halftime. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham gave the ball away. His caution came after an opponent took the ball by Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

Ultimately England’s depth proved crucial. Tuchel threw on the Manchester City player, who seemed more naturally fitted to the role that Bellingham had played in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. Later Saka whipped in a corner for Kane to break the deadlock. It highlighted that set pieces will play a key role next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

However, all talk was about Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on him. Tuchel walked up to his side and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder towards the away supporters. Their connection remains intact. The coach isn't ready to give up on the player just yet. However, whether the coach is prepared to grant him the central position is still uncertain.