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Should Bellingham hopes to earn his place back into the English top squad, it would be smart to cut out the dramatics. His response upon realizing that he was about to come up after a match of uneven play in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stick to my words 'behaviour is key' and consideration for the teammates who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Substitutions happen and you have to accept it as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for an outburst. Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber match, with only six minutes remaining and the player, after a below-par performance, received a caution for fouling an opponent. It was not a questionable change. In fact it might have been reckless for the head coach to leave Bellingham on because there was a chance he would be suspended of the first match of the competition by getting a second yellow card.

Shifting Focus to Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the player's frustration as he realized that his replacement was ready for another player. He flung his arms in the air and although he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the sideline it was clear that the manager was displeased.

This represents the hurdle that Bellingham must overcome. He praised Rashford for delivering the cross for the captain to score the team's second, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It's not like protesting was going to alter the decision. The coach has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the importance of behaving correctly.

Under Scrutiny

The midfielder, omitted from the previous squad, has faced close inspection upon his return to the squad in the current camp. Practically he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours with his response to coming off the pitch as the national team rounded off a ideal group stage by overcoming a spirited effort from their opponents.

Tactics and Formation

As a result it's unclear on how England operate most effectively including Bellingham. The performance was open to interpretation. There was experimentation from the manager early on. Under him, England have gained the squad structure and clarity in recent months, building with a holding player, a No 8, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but it felt different against Albania. The young defender was given his first cap, Wharton made his first start for England and the positioning of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder gave a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Inconsistent Display

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for his teammate during the second half but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. He made many rushed, misplaced passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player early on. The team looked disjointed after halftime. A scoring chance for the opponents followed Bellingham squandered possession. His caution was shown after he lost the ball to Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the bench quality proved crucial. The coach brought on Foden, who looked more naturally fitted to the spot that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and Saka. Later Saka whipped in a corner kick for Harry Kane to score the first goal. It highlighted that corners and free-kicks are going to be vital next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford's cross for Kane’s header was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, the focus was on Bellingham. Tuchel came over to his side and directed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. Their relationship is not broken. Tuchel hasn't decided to discard Bellingham yet. However, whether the coach is prepared to grant him the central position is still uncertain.