🔗 Share this article

For Bellingham to wants to force his way back into England’s top starting eleven, he would be wise to cut out the nonsense. His reaction after noticing that his number was being shown after an evening of uneven play in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the players who come in," commented the coach. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a strop. The captain had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions leading by two in a meaningless match, the game had six minutes to go and Bellingham, who had not played particularly well, had just been booked for fouling Armando Broja. It was not a controversial substitution. Indeed it might have been reckless for Tuchel to leave Bellingham on because there was a risk the midfielder would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the World Cup by getting a second yellow card.

Shifting Focus Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the 22-year-old’s annoyance upon understanding that he would be substituted for another player. He flung his arms in the air and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the sideline it was obvious that the head coach was not impressed.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He applauded Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to nod home the team's second, but everything else was counterproductive. It's not like protesting was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the value of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

Bellingham, left out of last month’s squad, has been under scrutiny after returning to the team this month. In effect he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him by reacting to being taken off as the side wrapped up a flawless qualification run by seeing off a spirited effort from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

It means it's unclear on how England function at their best when Bellingham plays. What we saw was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach at the start. He has provided the squad structure and clarity in recent months, using a No 6, a central midfielder, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but it felt different in this match. Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton started for the first time internationally and the use of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was faint echo to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He made a chance for his teammate in the latter period but often looked trying too hard. Several hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro against an opponent at the beginning. England's play was messy after halftime. One Albania chance came after he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card was shown after an opponent took the ball by Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

Ultimately the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel threw on Foden, who looked better suited to the position that Bellingham had played during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a corner kick for Kane to score the first goal. This served as a reminder that corners and free-kicks will be crucial in the upcoming tournament.

Connection Remains

Nevertheless, all talk was about Bellingham. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost due to the fuss of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, all eyes were on him. The coach approached behind him and directed Bellingham towards the English fans. Their connection is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to give up on the player just yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to offer him the central position is still uncertain.