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For Bellingham to wants to earn his place back into England’s top starting eleven, he would be wise to do away with the dramatics. His response upon realizing that he was being shown after an evening of inconsistency in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I don’t want to overstate it but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the squad members who substitute on," Tuchel said. "Substitutions happen and you have to accept it being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the Three Lions two goals ahead in a meaningless fixture, the game had six minutes to go and he, who had not played particularly well, was just shown a yellow for bringing down Armando Broja. It was not a controversial substitution. Actually it might have been reckless for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a risk Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the opening game of the World Cup by picking up a another booking.

Shifting Focus to Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the young midfielder's frustration when he clocked that he would be substituted for another player. His arms went up in exasperation and although he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the touchline it was obvious that the head coach was not impressed.

This represents the hurdle for Bellingham. He congratulated Rashford for delivering the cross for Kane to score his second goal, but the rest was self-defeating. It is not as if complaining was going to reverse the substitution. The coach has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the necessity of acting professionally.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, not included in the team last month, is being watched carefully upon his return to the squad recently. Essentially he has been on trial and he hasn't helped his case through his behavior to his substitution as the side rounded off a ideal group stage by defeating a feisty challenge from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

It means the jury is out on how England function at their best when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was open to interpretation. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel in the beginning. He has given the team a clear system over the past few matches, building with a holding player, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and out-and-out wingers, but the approach changed against Albania. Quansah was handed his international debut, the midfielder started for the first time internationally and the role of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder gave a faint echo to City's team that won three trophies.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eze in the latter period but often looked too desperate to impress. He made many hurried and errant passes. A pointless clash against an opponent at the beginning. England were ragged during most of the second period. One Albania chance followed he lost the ball cheaply. His caution occurred when an opponent took the ball to Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

Finally the squad's strength made the difference. The coach brought on the Manchester City player, who looked more naturally fitted to the role that Bellingham had played during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka whipped in a corner kick for Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that set pieces are going to be vital in the upcoming tournament.

Connection Remains

However, the focus was on Bellingham. The excellence of Rashford's cross 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 behind him and guided Bellingham to acknowledge the English fans. The bond between them is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to give up on Bellingham yet. However, whether the coach is prepared to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.