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For Bellingham to hopes to earn his place into the English strongest starting eleven, the smart move to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His response after noticing that the substitute board was being shown after a match of mixed performance in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to overstate it but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and consideration for the players who enter the game," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no need for a strop. The captain had recently scored to make the national team leading by two in an inconsequential fixture, there were six minutes left and he, following an inconsistent display, had just been booked for fouling an opponent. It was not a questionable change. Indeed it might have been reckless for the head coach to leave Bellingham on given that there was a chance he would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the tournament by getting a second caution.

Turning the Spotlight on Himself

But Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. No one could overlook the young midfielder's disappointment upon understanding that his replacement was ready for a teammate. His arms went up in exasperation and even though he exchanged a handshake on his way to the bench it was obvious that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge that Bellingham must overcome. He applauded his teammate for delivering the cross for Kane to head in his second of the night, but the rest was counterproductive. It is not as if arguing was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has repeatedly emphasized respecting team hierarchies and the value of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, left out of last month’s squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the team in the current camp. Practically his place has been in question and he hasn't helped his case by reacting to coming off the pitch as England wrapped up a perfect qualifying campaign by overcoming a feisty challenge from Albania.

Tactics and Formation

It means opinions are divided on how England operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach in the beginning. He has provided the team a clear system lately, building with a holding player, a box-to-box player, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different against Albania. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton made his first start at this level and the use of the defender as a makeshift midfielder meant there was faint echo to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. He made many hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England's play was messy during most of the second period. One Albania chance came after he lost the ball cheaply. His booking was shown after he lost the ball by Broja and brought down the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

Finally the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who seemed more naturally fitted to the role in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and Bukayo Saka. Later Saka provided a corner for the captain to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that corners and free-kicks will be crucial next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, all talk was about Bellingham. The excellence of Rashford's cross for the second goal was a little lost amid the drama of the substitution incident. At the end, all eyes were on him. Tuchel walked up to his side and directed the player in the direction of the travelling England fans. Their relationship is not damaged. Tuchel is not willing to give up on him at this stage. But if the coach is prepared to give him a starring role remains in doubt.