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If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place once again into the English top squad, the smart move to do away with the dramatics. His response after noticing that his number was going up after an evening of uneven play in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the squad members who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you must accept them being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no call for an outburst. The captain had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions leading by two in an inconsequential fixture, there were six minutes left and the player, who had not played particularly well, received a caution for fouling Armando Broja. It was not a debatable decision. In fact it would have been foolish for the manager to leave Bellingham on considering there was a risk Bellingham would be suspended of the initial fixture of the competition by receiving a second caution.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the player's frustration upon understanding that he would be substituted for a teammate. His arms went up in exasperation and even though he exchanged a handshake after making his way to the sideline it was obvious that the head coach was not impressed.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He congratulated his teammate for sending in the ball for Kane to score his second goal, but everything else was harmful to his cause. There was no chance protesting was going to change Tuchel’s mind. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the value of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

Bellingham, not included in the team last month, is being watched carefully after returning to the fold in the current camp. Essentially he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to his substitution as England wrapped up a flawless qualification run by overcoming a tough opposition from the Albanian team.

The System and the Setup

It means the jury is out on if England function at their best when Bellingham plays. The performance was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel at the start. He has given the team organization and direction in recent months, employing a holding player, a No 8, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel versus Albania. The young defender was given his first cap, the midfielder made his first start for England and the use of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was passing resemblance to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He set up a shot for Eze during the second half but frequently appeared trying too hard. Several rushed, misplaced passes. A pointless clash against an opponent in the early stages. The team looked disjointed after halftime. An opportunity for Albania resulted from Bellingham squandered possession. His caution came after he was dispossessed from Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

In the end the squad's strength proved crucial. Tuchel introduced Phil Foden, who looked better suited to the spot in which Bellingham operated earlier in the match, and Bukayo Saka. Eventually Saka provided a corner for the captain to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that dead-ball situations will be crucial next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, everyone was watching him. The coach approached to his side and pushed Bellingham towards the away supporters. Their connection remains intact. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon Bellingham yet. Yet whether the coach is prepared to offer him centre stage remains in doubt.