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If Jude Bellingham aims to force his way into the English top squad, he would be wise to cut out the unnecessary reactions. His response when he saw that he was about to come up after a match of uneven play in Tirana was not good enough.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the players who come in," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you must accept them being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the national team leading by two in an inconsequential fixture, there were six minutes left and Bellingham, following an inconsistent display, received a caution for fouling an opponent. This was hardly a controversial substitution. Indeed it would have been unwise for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering there was a chance he would make himself ineligible of the first match of the competition by picking up a second caution.

Turning the Spotlight on Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. It was impossible to miss the player's frustration when he clocked that he was going to make way for a teammate. He threw his arms up and while he shook Tuchel’s hand on his way to the touchline there was no doubt that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

Here lies the test that Bellingham must overcome. He applauded Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to head in his second of the night, but the rest was counterproductive. It's not like arguing was going to alter the decision. The coach has stressed repeatedly following squad protocols and the value of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

He, not included in last month’s squad, has faced close inspection upon his return to the fold in the current camp. In effect his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to being taken off as the side wrapped up a ideal group stage by defeating a tough opposition from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

As a result it's unclear on if the squad perform optimally when Bellingham plays. What we saw was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager early on. He has given the squad organization and direction in recent months, using a holding player, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and specialist wingers, but the approach changed against Albania. Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup for England and the positioning of the defender as a makeshift midfielder created a faint echo to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham had ups and downs. He created an opportunity for Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared too desperate to impress. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro against an opponent early on. England's play was messy during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania resulted from Bellingham gave the ball away. His caution was shown after an opponent took the ball from Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end England’s depth made the difference. Tuchel threw on the Manchester City player, who looked more comfortable to the role in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Saka. In time Saka delivered a corner for Harry Kane to score the first goal. It highlighted that dead-ball situations will play a key role at the World Cup.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The quality of the winger's delivery for Kane's goal was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. After the final whistle, all eyes were on him. The coach approached to his side and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the away supporters. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to discard him at this stage. Yet whether the coach is prepared to give him the central position is still uncertain.