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If Jude Bellingham wants to force his way into England’s strongest starting eleven, he would be wise to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His reaction after noticing that he was going up after a match of inconsistency in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I prefer not to blow it out of proportion but I stick to my words 'behaviour is key' and consideration for the players who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you need to comply as a player."

The midfielder must understand. There was no call for an outburst. Kane had recently scored to make the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber qualifier, there were six minutes left and he, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for a foul on the Albanian striker. This was hardly a questionable change. Indeed it would have been unwise for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering there was a risk Bellingham would be suspended of the initial fixture of the competition by receiving a second caution.

Shifting Focus Upon Himself

But Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the player's annoyance upon understanding that his replacement was ready for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and while he accepted the coach's hand on his way to the bench there was no doubt that the manager was displeased.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He congratulated Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to head in his second of the night, but the rest was counterproductive. It is not as if complaining was going to change Tuchel’s mind. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

He, left out of the previous squad, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the team in the current camp. Practically he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours with his response to being taken off as England rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a spirited effort from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

It means it's unclear on whether the squad function at their best with Bellingham in the team. The performance was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager at the start. He has provided the squad a clear system over the past few matches, building with a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton started for the first time internationally and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder created a faint echo to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He set up a shot for his teammate during the second half but often looked trying too hard. There were a lot of 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 Bellingham gave the ball away. His booking occurred when he was dispossessed to Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

Finally the bench quality proved crucial. The coach brought on Foden, who looked more naturally fitted to the position occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. Later Saka delivered a corner kick for Kane to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost due to the fuss of the player change. After the final whistle, everyone was watching the midfielder. Tuchel came over behind him and guided the player to acknowledge the away supporters. Their relationship is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to discard the player just yet. But if he is willing to offer him centre stage remains in doubt.