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For Bellingham to aims to force his way into England’s best team, the smart move to eliminate the dramatics. His response when he saw that his number was being shown following a night 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 for the players who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it being a professional."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no need for an outburst. Harry Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team two goals ahead in an inconsequential match, with only six minutes remaining and he, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for a foul on Armando Broja. This could scarcely be called a questionable change. Actually it would have been foolish for Tuchel to not substitute him because it was possible the midfielder would make himself ineligible of the first match of the World Cup by getting a second caution.

Shifting Focus on Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s frustration as he realized that he would be substituted for Morgan Rogers. His arms went up in exasperation and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand on his way to the bench there was no doubt that the manager was not impressed.

This is the challenge that Bellingham must overcome. He praised Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to nod home his second goal, but his other actions was self-defeating. There was no chance complaining was going to alter the decision. The coach has repeatedly emphasized honoring the team structure and the necessity of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, omitted from the team last month, has been under scrutiny after returning to the squad in the current camp. Essentially he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to his substitution as England wrapped up a flawless qualification run by overcoming a feisty challenge from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

It means opinions are divided on if England operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was open to interpretation. Tuchel tried new things by the coach early on. He has given England organization and direction over the past few matches, using a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, a playmaker and out-and-out wingers, but the approach changed against Albania. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, the midfielder made his first start internationally and the role of the defender as a part-time midfielder gave a similar look to City's 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for Eze during the second half but often looked overly eager to shine. There were a lot of poorly executed passes. A pointless clash with a rival player in the early stages. England's play was messy during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham squandered possession. His booking occurred when an opponent took the ball by Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the squad's strength made the difference. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who seemed better suited to the position occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. Eventually Saka provided a corner kick for Kane to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that corners and free-kicks will be crucial in the upcoming tournament.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The excellence of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was somewhat overlooked amid the drama of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, everyone was watching him. The coach approached to his side and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the travelling England fans. The bond between them remains intact. The coach isn't ready to give up on the player just yet. However, whether the coach is prepared to give him the central position is not guaranteed.