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If Jude Bellingham aims to fight his way once again into the English top squad, the smart move to do away with the nonsense. His response after noticing that he was being shown after a match of uneven play in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the squad members who enter the game," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. The captain had recently scored to make the Three Lions two goals ahead in an inconsequential qualifier, the game had six minutes to go and the player, following an inconsistent display, received a caution for a foul on Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. Actually it might have been reckless for Tuchel to not substitute him considering there was a chance the midfielder would be suspended of the first match of the competition by picking up a second caution.

Shifting Focus to Himself

However, the player turned the spotlight on himself. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s disappointment when he clocked that his replacement was ready for another player. He threw his arms up and while he accepted the coach's hand while heading to the bench it was obvious that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He applauded Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to score his second of the night, but everything else was counterproductive. There was no chance protesting was going to change Tuchel’s mind. The German has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the importance of acting professionally.

Under Scrutiny

The midfielder, omitted from the previous squad, is being watched carefully after returning to the team this month. Essentially he was being assessed and he hasn't helped his case by reacting to his substitution as the national team rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

The Coach's Plan

It means opinions are divided on whether the squad function at their best including Bellingham. What we saw was inconclusive. There was experimentation from Tuchel in the beginning. He has given the team a clear system in recent months, using a defensive midfielder, a No 8, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but the approach changed versus Albania. The young defender was made his England debut, the midfielder started for the first time at this level and the role of Stones as a makeshift midfielder created a similar look to City's team that won three trophies.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He set up a shot for his teammate after the break but often looked too desperate to impress. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player early on. England were ragged for much of the second half. One Albania chance followed he lost the ball cheaply. His booking came after an opponent took the ball from Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

Finally the bench quality made the difference. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed more comfortable to the position in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and Saka. Eventually Saka provided a set-piece for Kane to score the first goal. It was a reminder that set pieces will be crucial at the World Cup.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the player change. At the end, the focus was on him. The coach approached behind him and guided the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the English fans. Their relationship is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to abandon the player just yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him centre stage is still uncertain.