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If Jude Bellingham aims to fight his way into the English top team, the smart move to do away with the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted when he saw that he was being shown after a match of uneven play in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I’d rather not blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the teammates who come in," commented the coach. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no call for a strop. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the national team two goals ahead in a meaningless match, there were six minutes left and the player, who had not played particularly well, received a caution for fouling Armando Broja. This could scarcely be called a questionable change. Actually it would have been foolish for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch because there was a risk the midfielder would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the competition by receiving a second yellow card.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s annoyance when he clocked that his replacement was ready for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and while he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the sideline there was no doubt that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He applauded his teammate for sending in the ball for Kane to score the team's second, but his other actions was self-defeating. There was no chance protesting was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the value of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

He, omitted from the previous squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the team in the current camp. Practically his place has been in question and he hasn't helped his case with his response to being taken off as the national team rounded off a ideal group stage by defeating a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

The Coach's Plan

This implies opinions are divided on how England operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The performance was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager in the beginning. He has provided the team a clear system in recent months, employing a No 6, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel in this match. Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the positioning of the defender as a makeshift midfielder gave a faint echo to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham had ups and downs. He created an opportunity for Eze in the latter period but at times seemed trying too hard. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder early on. England were ragged for much of the second half. One Albania chance resulted from Bellingham squandered possession. His booking was shown after he lost the ball from Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end the squad's strength made the difference. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed better suited to the position in which Bellingham operated earlier in the match, and Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a corner for Harry Kane to score the first goal. It was a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital in the upcoming tournament.

Bridge Still Stands

However, the focus was on Bellingham. The excellence of Rashford's cross for the second goal was somewhat overlooked amid the drama of the player change. At the end, all eyes were on the midfielder. The coach approached from behind and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the travelling England fans. The bond between them is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to abandon Bellingham yet. But if he is willing to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.