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Should Bellingham wants to fight his way into the English best team, it would be smart to eliminate the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted upon realizing that the substitute board was about to come up after a match of inconsistency in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I prefer not to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'behaviour is key' and respect towards the squad members who come in," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you need to comply when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for an outburst. Kane had just put the Three Lions 2-0 up in a meaningless fixture, there were six minutes left and the player, after a below-par performance, received a caution for a foul on an opponent. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. In fact it would have been foolish for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a risk the midfielder would be suspended of the initial fixture of the tournament by getting a second caution.

Turning the Spotlight on Himself

However, the player turned the spotlight on 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 although he exchanged a handshake after making his way to the sideline it was obvious that the head coach was displeased.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He applauded Rashford for providing the assist for Harry Kane to head in the team's second, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It is not as if complaining was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, left out of the previous squad, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the squad this month. Essentially he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to coming off the pitch as the national team rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a spirited effort from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

This implies opinions are divided on how the team function at their best including Bellingham. The performance was open to interpretation. There was experimentation by the coach at the start. He has provided the team structure and clarity lately, using a holding player, a No 8, a playmaker and dedicated wide players, but the approach changed against Albania. The young defender was handed his international debut, the midfielder started for the first time for England and the use of Stones as a makeshift midfielder meant there was similar look to the Manchester club's team that won three trophies.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for his teammate after the break but at times seemed overly eager to shine. He made many poorly executed passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder in the early stages. England's play was messy for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania resulted from Bellingham gave the ball away. His booking occurred when he lost the ball to Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end England’s depth made the difference. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed more naturally fitted to the role in which Bellingham operated earlier in the match, and Saka. In time Saka whipped in a corner for the captain to break the deadlock. It was a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital at the World Cup.

Bridge Still Stands

However, Bellingham was the story. The excellence of Rashford's cross for Kane's goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the substitution incident. At the end, the focus was on him. Tuchel walked up to his side and pushed the player towards the away supporters. Their connection is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to give up on him at this stage. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to offer him the central position is still uncertain.