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If Jude Bellingham aims to earn his place back into the English best team, he would be wise to eliminate the dramatics. The way he reacted when he saw that he was being shown following a night of uneven play in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I’d rather not blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and respect for the teammates who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Substitutions happen and you must accept them when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for a tantrum. Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team leading by two in a meaningless fixture, the game had six minutes to go and Bellingham, who had not played particularly well, received a caution for a foul on the Albanian striker. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. Actually it might have been reckless for the head coach to not substitute him because there was a chance he would rule himself out of the opening game of the World Cup by picking up a second yellow card.

Drawing Attention on Himself

However, the player made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the young midfielder's annoyance upon understanding that his replacement was ready for another player. His arms went up in exasperation and while he exchanged a handshake after making his way to the bench there was no doubt that the manager did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He praised Rashford for providing the assist for Harry Kane to score his second of the night, but his other actions was counterproductive. It's not like protesting was going to alter the decision. The coach has stressed repeatedly respecting team hierarchies and the value of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

Bellingham, left out of the team last month, is being watched carefully since coming back to the team in the current camp. Essentially he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to his substitution as the side wrapped up a ideal group stage by defeating a feisty challenge from Albania.

The System and the Setup

It means it's unclear on if England perform optimally when Bellingham plays. What we saw was inconclusive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach at the start. He has given the squad a clear system in recent months, building with a holding player, a central midfielder, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton started for the first time for England and the role of the defender as a makeshift midfielder meant there was faint echo to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eberechi Eze during the second half but often looked trying too hard. There were a lot of rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro against an opponent at the beginning. The team looked disjointed for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania came after Bellingham squandered possession. The yellow card was shown after he was dispossessed from Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the bench quality was decisive. The coach brought on Foden, who appeared better suited to the spot occupied by Bellingham during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. Later Saka whipped in a set-piece for Harry Kane to score the first goal. This served as a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, the focus was on Bellingham. The excellence of Rashford’s assist for the second goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, the focus was on him. The coach approached behind him and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. Their relationship is not damaged. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon the player just yet. Yet whether the coach is prepared to give him the central position remains in doubt.