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If Jude Bellingham hopes to earn his place once again into the English strongest squad, he would be wise to cut out the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted after noticing that his number was about to come up after an evening of inconsistency in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I prefer not to overstate it but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the players who come in," Tuchel said. "Decisions are made and you must accept them as a player."

The midfielder must understand. It was unnecessary for a strop. The captain had just put the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber qualifier, there were six minutes left and Bellingham, following an inconsistent display, received a caution for a foul on an opponent. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. Actually it would have been unwise for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch because there was a risk Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the first match of the tournament by getting a another booking.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the player's annoyance when he clocked that he was going to make way for another player. He flung his arms in the air and although he accepted the coach's hand while heading to the sideline it was obvious that the manager was displeased.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He praised his teammate for sending in the ball for the captain to head in the team's second, but his other actions was counterproductive. There was no chance complaining was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the necessity of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, omitted from the previous squad, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the team in the current camp. In effect he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to his substitution as the side completed a perfect qualifying campaign by overcoming a spirited effort from their opponents.

Tactics and Formation

It means opinions are divided on how the squad operate most effectively including Bellingham. What we saw was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested from the manager early on. He has given England a clear system in recent months, building with a holding player, a No 8, a playmaker and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the use of John Stones as a part-time midfielder created a faint echo to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for Eze during the second half but at times seemed overly eager to shine. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player at the beginning. The team looked disjointed during most of the second period. A scoring chance for the opponents resulted from he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card was shown after he was dispossessed by Broja and fouled the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who looked better suited to the spot occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Bukayo Saka. Later Saka provided a corner for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks will be crucial at the World Cup.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for the second goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, all eyes were on him. The coach approached behind him and guided the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their relationship is not damaged. Tuchel hasn't decided to discard him at this stage. But if he is willing to grant him the central position is still uncertain.