🔗 Share this article

For Bellingham to wants to earn his place back into the English best squad, he would be wise to do away with the nonsense. His response upon realizing that the substitute board was being shown following a night of inconsistency in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

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

Bellingham has to learn. There was no call for a tantrum. The captain had just put the Three Lions leading by two in a meaningless fixture, with only six minutes remaining and Bellingham, after a below-par performance, received a caution for bringing down Armando Broja. It was not a debatable decision. Indeed it would have been foolish for the head coach to keep Bellingham on the pitch because it was possible the midfielder would rule himself out of the first match of the World Cup by receiving a second yellow card.

Drawing Attention Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the player's disappointment when he clocked that he was going to make way for another player. He threw his arms up and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the sideline it was clear that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He applauded Marcus Rashford for delivering the cross for Kane to head in his second of the night, but everything else was self-defeating. It's not like protesting was going to reverse the substitution. The coach has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the value of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

Bellingham, left out of last month’s squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the fold in the current camp. Essentially he was being assessed and he hasn't helped his case by reacting to being taken off as England wrapped up a ideal group stage by overcoming a feisty challenge from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

As a result opinions are divided on how England function at their best when Bellingham plays. What we saw was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager at the start. Under him, England have gained the squad structure and clarity in recent months, building with a No 6, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel in this match. Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the role of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder created a passing resemblance to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for his teammate after the break but at times seemed trying too hard. Several poorly executed passes. A pointless clash with an Albania midfielder early on. England were ragged during most of the second period. One Albania chance followed Bellingham gave the ball away. His caution occurred when an opponent took the ball to Broja and brought down the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

Finally the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel threw on the Manchester City player, who appeared better suited to the position that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a set-piece for Kane to score the first goal. It highlighted that corners and free-kicks are going to be vital in the upcoming tournament.

Connection Remains

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was partly forgotten due to the fuss of the player change. When the match concluded, the focus was on him. The coach approached from behind and guided the player in the direction of the away supporters. The bond between them remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to discard the player just yet. Yet whether he is willing to grant him a starring role remains in doubt.