🔗 Share this article

Should Bellingham wants to fight his way once again into the English top team, it would be smart to eliminate the dramatics. His response upon realizing that his number was going up after a match of mixed performance in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the teammates who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Decisions are made and you must accept them as a player."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for an outburst. Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team 2-0 up in an inconsequential qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and the player, who had not played particularly well, was just shown a yellow for fouling the Albanian striker. It was not a controversial substitution. In fact it might have been reckless for the head coach to leave Bellingham on because it was possible Bellingham would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the competition by getting a second yellow card.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the young midfielder's annoyance as he realized that he would be substituted for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and while he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the sideline there was no doubt that the head coach was not impressed.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He praised Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to head in his second of the night, but everything else was self-defeating. There was no chance complaining was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has repeatedly emphasized respecting team hierarchies and the importance of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, not included in the previous squad, has faced close inspection after returning to the team recently. Practically he has been on trial and he hasn't helped his case with his response to coming off the pitch as England wrapped up a ideal group stage by overcoming a tough opposition from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

As a result the jury is out on whether the squad operate most effectively with Bellingham in the team. The evidence here was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel at the start. He has provided England a clear system over the past few matches, employing a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel against 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 gave a faint echo to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He set up a shot for Eze after the break but frequently appeared trying too hard. Several rushed, misplaced passes. A pointless clash against an opponent in the early stages. England were ragged during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania came after Bellingham squandered possession. The yellow card occurred when he was dispossessed to Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end England’s depth was decisive. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who looked more comfortable to the spot that Bellingham had played in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka provided a corner kick for Harry Kane to break the deadlock. It highlighted that dead-ball situations will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, all talk was about Bellingham. The quality of Rashford’s assist for the second goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on Bellingham. The coach approached behind him and guided the player in the direction of the English fans. The bond between them remains intact. The coach isn't ready to give up on Bellingham yet. Yet whether he is willing to offer him a starring role is not guaranteed.