Bellingham Must Cut Out the Petulance to Earn a Star Role Under Coach Tuchel.

For Bellingham to hopes to earn his place once again into England’s best squad, he would be wise to eliminate the nonsense. His reaction upon realizing that the substitute board was being shown after an evening of mixed performance in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I’d rather not make more out of it but I stick to my words 'behaviour is key' and respect for the players who enter the game," stated Tuchel. "Substitutions happen and you need to comply being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Kane had recently scored to make the Three Lions two goals ahead in a meaningless match, with only six minutes remaining and he, after a below-par performance, received a caution for bringing down an opponent. This could scarcely be called a controversial substitution. In fact it would have been foolish for the head coach to leave Bellingham on given that it was possible Bellingham would be suspended of the first match of the tournament by picking up a another booking.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the 22-year-old’s annoyance as he realized that he would be substituted for another player. He flung his arms in the air and even though he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the bench it was obvious that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to score his second of the night, but his other actions was harmful to his cause. It's not like protesting was going to reverse the substitution. The coach has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

He, not included in last month’s squad, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the fold recently. In effect he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to being taken off as the national team wrapped up a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

The Coach's Plan

As a result the jury is out on if the team perform optimally when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager at the start. He has provided the squad a clear system in recent months, building with a holding player, a No 8, a playmaker and dedicated wide players, but it felt different versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, the midfielder was in the starting lineup at this level and the role of Stones as a part-time midfielder meant there was passing resemblance to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He set up a shot for his teammate after the break but at times seemed too desperate to impress. Several hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with an Albania midfielder early on. The team looked disjointed during most of the second period. One Albania chance followed Bellingham gave the ball away. The yellow card occurred when he was dispossessed by Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end England’s depth proved crucial. Tuchel introduced Phil Foden, who appeared more naturally fitted to the position that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and Saka. In time Saka provided a corner for the captain to open the scoring. It highlighted that set pieces will be crucial next summer.

Connection Remains

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The quality of Rashford's cross for the second goal was somewhat overlooked amid the drama of the Rogers substitution. When the match concluded, all eyes were on the midfielder. Tuchel came over to his side and pushed Bellingham to acknowledge the away supporters. The bond between them remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to abandon him at this stage. Yet whether he is willing to give him the central position is not guaranteed.