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For Bellingham to hopes to force his way into England’s strongest starting eleven, he would be wise to cut out the nonsense. His response after noticing that his number was about to come up after an evening of mixed performance in Tirana was not good enough.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and respect towards the players who come in," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. It was unnecessary for a tantrum. Kane had just put the national team two goals ahead in a dead rubber match, there were six minutes left and he, after a below-par performance, received a caution for a foul on an opponent. This was hardly a questionable change. Indeed it would have been unwise for the manager to leave Bellingham on considering it was possible he would rule himself out of the opening game of the competition by receiving a second yellow card.

Shifting Focus to Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s annoyance as he realized that he was going to make way for another player. He threw his arms up and while he exchanged a handshake while heading to the touchline there was no doubt that the head coach was displeased.

This represents the hurdle that Bellingham must overcome. He praised Rashford for providing the assist for the captain to nod home his second of the night, but everything else was self-defeating. It's not like protesting was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the value of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, left out of last month’s squad, has been under scrutiny since coming back to the team recently. Practically his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him by reacting to his substitution as the national team rounded off a ideal group stage by seeing off a tough opposition from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

This implies the jury is out on if the team operate most effectively including Bellingham. The evidence here was inconclusive. There was experimentation from the manager in the beginning. Under him, England have gained England a clear system lately, employing a holding player, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, Wharton made his first start for England and the role of Stones as a makeshift midfielder gave a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eze after the break but frequently appeared too desperate to impress. Several hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with a rival player early on. England were ragged during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania followed he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card came after he lost the ball by Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Depth Makes the Difference

Finally the bench quality proved crucial. Tuchel introduced Foden, who appeared better suited to the spot occupied by Bellingham during the first half, and Saka. In time Saka provided a set-piece for Harry Kane to break the deadlock. This served as a reminder that dead-ball situations will play a key role next summer.

Connection Remains

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for the second goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, everyone was watching Bellingham. The coach approached behind him and guided Bellingham in the direction of the English fans. Their relationship is not damaged. Tuchel is not willing to abandon him at this stage. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to offer him the central position is still uncertain.