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For Bellingham to hopes to earn his place once again into England’s strongest starting eleven, he would be wise to do away with the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted upon realizing that his number was about to come up after a match of mixed performance in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I prefer not to overstate it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the teammates who substitute on," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you have to accept it as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. It was unnecessary for an outburst. Harry Kane had recently scored to make England 2-0 up in a dead rubber qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and the player, after a below-par performance, received a caution for a foul on the Albanian striker. This was hardly a questionable change. Actually it would have been unwise for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering there was a risk Bellingham would rule himself out of the opening game of the competition by picking up a second caution.

Shifting Focus Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the young midfielder's disappointment as he realized that he was going to make way for a teammate. He threw his arms up and although he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the touchline there was no doubt that the head coach was displeased.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He praised his teammate for providing the assist for the captain to head in his second of the night, but everything else was counterproductive. It is not as if arguing was going to change Tuchel’s mind. The coach has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the necessity of showing proper conduct.

Facing Examination

He, omitted from last month’s squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the squad recently. Essentially his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him by reacting to being taken off as the national team completed a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a spirited effort from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

As a result opinions are divided on if England operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The performance was inconclusive. There was experimentation from Tuchel at the start. He has given England a clear system in recent months, using a holding player, a central midfielder, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different in this match. The young defender was given his first cap, Adam Wharton started for the first time at this level and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder meant there was passing resemblance to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He made a chance for his teammate during the second half but often looked trying too hard. He made many hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player in the early stages. The team looked disjointed after halftime. An opportunity for Albania came after Bellingham gave the ball away. His booking came after he lost the ball from Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the bench quality made the difference. Tuchel threw on Foden, who appeared more comfortable to the role in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. Eventually Saka whipped in a corner kick for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It highlighted that set pieces will be crucial next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of the winger's delivery for the second goal was partly forgotten due to the fuss of the player change. At the end, all eyes were on Bellingham. Tuchel came over behind him and directed the player in the direction of the English fans. Their connection remains intact. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon him at this stage. But if he is willing to give him a starring role is still uncertain.