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For Bellingham to aims to fight his way back into the English strongest squad, it would be smart to eliminate the dramatics. The way he reacted when he saw that the substitute board was going up following a night of inconsistency in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I hold to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the players who come in," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you have to accept it being a professional."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no need for a strop. The captain had just put the Three Lions leading by two in an inconsequential qualifier, the game had six minutes to go and the player, who had not played particularly well, had just been booked for bringing down the Albanian striker. This was hardly a debatable decision. Actually it would have been unwise for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a risk Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the first match of the World Cup by receiving a another booking.

Shifting Focus to Himself

However, the player made himself the center of attention. It was impossible to miss the 22-year-old’s frustration as he realized that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. He flung his arms in the air and although he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the touchline it was obvious that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He applauded his teammate for delivering the cross for the captain to head in his second goal, but everything else was harmful to his cause. It is not as if arguing was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

Bellingham, not included in the team last month, is being watched carefully after returning to the squad this month. Essentially his place has been in question and he has not done himself any favours with his response to coming off the pitch as the national team rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a feisty challenge from Albania.

The Coach's Plan

This implies opinions are divided on if England operate most effectively including Bellingham. The performance was inconclusive. Some new ideas were tested from the manager at the start. Under him, England have gained the team organization and direction in recent months, employing a holding player, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but it felt different versus Albania. Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton made his first start for England and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder created a faint echo to Manchester City’s historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for his teammate during the second half but at times seemed overly eager to shine. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player in the early stages. The team looked disjointed after halftime. A scoring chance for the opponents resulted from Bellingham gave the ball away. His caution came after he was dispossessed by Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

In the end England’s depth was decisive. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who seemed more comfortable to the role occupied by Bellingham during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka whipped in a set-piece for Kane to score the first goal. It highlighted that dead-ball situations are going to be vital next summer.

Connection Remains

However, all talk was about Bellingham. The excellence of the winger's delivery for Kane's goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the Rogers substitution. At the end, everyone was watching him. Tuchel walked up behind him and directed the player to acknowledge the away supporters. Their relationship is not damaged. The coach isn't ready to discard the player just yet. But if the coach is prepared to offer him the central position is still uncertain.