🔗 Share this article

Should Bellingham wants to earn his place back into the English best starting eleven, he would be wise to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His reaction after noticing that the substitute board was being shown after a match of uneven play in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I prefer not to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the squad members who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you must accept them being a professional."

The midfielder must understand. It was unnecessary for an outburst. Kane had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions two goals ahead in a meaningless match, with only six minutes remaining and he, who had not played particularly well, received a caution for a foul on an opponent. It was not a controversial substitution. In fact it would have been foolish for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch because there was a chance Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the tournament by getting a second caution.

Drawing Attention to Himself

However, the player made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the player's disappointment upon understanding that he was going to make way for a teammate. He threw his arms up and even though he exchanged a handshake on his way to the bench there was no doubt that the manager was not impressed.

This represents the hurdle for Bellingham. He praised Rashford for delivering the cross for Harry Kane to nod home his second goal, but the rest was self-defeating. There was no chance complaining was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly respecting team hierarchies and the importance of showing proper conduct.

Facing Examination

He, not included in the previous squad, is being watched carefully after returning to the team in the current camp. Essentially his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to being taken off as the side rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a feisty challenge from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

As a result opinions are divided on how the squad perform optimally when Bellingham plays. What we saw was open to interpretation. There was experimentation by the coach in the beginning. He has provided the squad organization and direction over the past few matches, employing a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box player, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but the approach changed in this match. The young defender was handed his international debut, Adam Wharton started for the first time internationally and the positioning of Stones as a part-time midfielder gave a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for Eberechi Eze during the second half but at times seemed trying too hard. Several hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player in the early stages. The team looked disjointed during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania came after he lost the ball cheaply. His caution was shown after he was dispossessed from Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Squad Strength Shows

In the end England’s depth was decisive. The coach brought on Foden, who looked more naturally fitted to the role that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka provided a corner kick for the captain to open the scoring. It was a reminder that dead-ball situations will play a key role next summer.

Connection Remains

However, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the Rogers substitution. At the end, the focus was on him. Tuchel came over to his side and directed Bellingham in the direction of the away supporters. Their relationship is not damaged. Tuchel hasn't decided to give up on Bellingham yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to grant him a starring role is still uncertain.