🔗 Share this article

If Jude Bellingham aims to earn his place into the English top squad, it would be smart to cut out the nonsense. His response upon realizing that the substitute board was going up following a night of uneven play in Tirana was not good enough.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and respect for the teammates who enter the game," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you need to comply as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for a tantrum. Harry Kane had recently scored to make England two goals ahead in an inconsequential match, the game had six minutes to go and Bellingham, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for fouling the Albanian striker. It was not a controversial substitution. In fact it would have been unwise for the head coach to not substitute him considering it was possible he would rule himself out of the first match of the tournament by receiving a second yellow card.

Turning the Spotlight to Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s annoyance upon understanding that his replacement was ready for a teammate. He threw his arms up and although he shook Tuchel’s hand on his way to the bench there was no doubt that the manager did not appreciate it.

Here lies the test facing Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for delivering the cross for Kane to nod home the team's second, but the rest was harmful to his cause. There was no chance arguing was going to alter the decision. The coach has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the importance of acting professionally.

Under Scrutiny

Bellingham, omitted from the previous squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the squad recently. Essentially he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to coming off the pitch as the national team wrapped up a ideal group stage by overcoming a tough opposition from Albania.

The Coach's Plan

This implies it's unclear on whether the team operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was inconclusive. There was experimentation from Tuchel early on. Under him, England have gained England a clear system in recent months, employing a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different versus Albania. Quansah was handed his international debut, the midfielder started for the first time internationally and the role of the defender as a makeshift midfielder gave a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for his teammate during the second half but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. There were a lot of rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged for much of the second half. One Albania chance followed he lost the ball cheaply. His caution occurred when he lost the ball to Broja and brought down Broja.

Depth Makes the Difference

In the end the squad's strength proved crucial. The coach brought on Foden, who looked more naturally fitted to the position that Bellingham had played in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka provided a set-piece for Kane to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that set pieces will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford's cross for Kane's goal was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on Bellingham. Tuchel came over behind him and guided the player to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their relationship remains intact. The coach isn't ready to discard the player just yet. But if he is willing to offer him a starring role is not guaranteed.