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If Jude Bellingham wants to fight his way into the English top squad, it would be smart to eliminate the nonsense. His response when he saw that the substitute board was about to come up following a night of mixed performance in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stick to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the teammates who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Substitutions happen and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for a strop. The captain had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions 2-0 up in an inconsequential qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and he, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for a foul on the Albanian striker. This was hardly a debatable decision. In fact it would have been unwise for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch because there was a risk he would make himself ineligible of the first match of the competition by getting a second caution.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the 22-year-old’s frustration as he realized that he was going to make way for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and while he exchanged a handshake on his way to the sideline it was clear that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He praised Rashford for providing the assist for Harry Kane to head in his second goal, but his other actions was counterproductive. It is not as if complaining was going to alter the decision. The coach has stressed repeatedly following squad protocols and the importance of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, omitted from the previous squad, has been under scrutiny since coming back to the team this month. Practically he was being assessed and he has not done himself any favours through his behavior to his substitution as England completed a ideal group stage by seeing off a tough opposition from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

As a result it's unclear on if the squad function at their best with Bellingham in the team. The performance was open to interpretation. Some new ideas were tested by the coach in the beginning. He has provided the team a clear system in recent months, building with a No 6, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and specialist wingers, but the approach changed against Albania. The young defender was handed his international debut, Wharton was in the starting lineup for England and the use of John Stones as a part-time midfielder created a similar look to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for his teammate in the latter period but at times seemed too desperate to impress. Several hurried and errant passes. A pointless clash with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged during most of the second period. A scoring chance for the opponents came after he lost the ball cheaply. His caution occurred when an opponent took the ball by Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the squad's strength made the difference. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who appeared better suited to the role occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. In time Saka provided a corner for Kane to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that set pieces will be crucial at the World Cup.

Bridge Still Stands

However, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford's cross for the second goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the player change. At the end, the focus was on the midfielder. The coach approached to his side and directed the player in the direction of the English fans. Their connection is not damaged. Tuchel is not willing to discard the player just yet. But if he is willing to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.