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If Jude Bellingham aims to earn his place back into England’s best squad, it would be smart to eliminate the dramatics. His response upon realizing that the substitute board was going up after an evening of uneven play in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the squad members who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Harry Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team two goals ahead in an inconsequential match, there were six minutes left and the player, after a below-par performance, was just shown a yellow for a foul on the Albanian striker. It was not a questionable change. Indeed it would have been unwise for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch because there was a chance Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the World Cup by picking up a second caution.

Shifting Focus to Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the young midfielder's frustration when he clocked that he would be substituted for Morgan Rogers. He flung his arms in the air and while he accepted the coach's hand on his way to the touchline it was obvious that the head coach was displeased.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He congratulated his teammate for providing the assist for Harry Kane to head in his second goal, but everything else was counterproductive. There was no chance arguing was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly respecting team hierarchies and the value of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, omitted from the team last month, has faced close inspection after returning to the squad in the current camp. In effect he has been on trial and he hasn't helped his case through his behavior to coming off the pitch as the national team completed a ideal group stage by overcoming a tough opposition from their opponents.

Tactics and Formation

As a result it's unclear on if England function at their best with Bellingham in the team. The evidence here was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel at the start. He has provided the team organization and direction lately, employing a No 6, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but there was a different feel in this match. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, the midfielder was in the starting lineup internationally and the positioning of Stones as a makeshift midfielder gave a similar look to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

His performance was inconsistent. He set up a shot for Eze after the break but often looked trying too hard. He made many hurried and errant passes. A pointless clash against an opponent early on. England's play was messy after halftime. One Albania chance came after Bellingham gave the ball away. The yellow card was shown after an opponent took the ball from Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end England’s depth proved crucial. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed better suited to the spot occupied by Bellingham during the first half, and Saka. In time Saka delivered a corner for Kane to score the first goal. It was a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

However, the focus was on Bellingham. The quality of the winger's delivery for the second goal was partly forgotten in the ridiculousness of the player change. After the final whistle, the focus was on the midfielder. The coach approached to his side and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to abandon Bellingham yet. But if the coach is prepared to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.