Jude Bellingham Has to Eliminate the Nonsense to Earn a Central Position Under Tuchel.

If Jude Bellingham hopes to force his way into England’s best squad, it would be smart to cut out the dramatics. The way he reacted when he saw that the substitute board was going up after an evening of uneven play in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and consideration for the squad members who come in," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you must accept them being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. It was unnecessary for a strop. The captain had only moments earlier made it the Three Lions leading by two in a meaningless match, with only six minutes remaining and he, following an inconsistent display, was just shown a yellow for a foul on an opponent. This could scarcely be called a controversial substitution. Indeed it would have been foolish for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a chance he would be suspended of the first match of the tournament by receiving a second yellow card.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s disappointment as he realized that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. His arms went up in exasperation and while he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the sideline it was clear that the manager was displeased.

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He applauded Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Kane to nod home his second goal, but his other actions was harmful to his cause. It's not like protesting was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has repeatedly emphasized respecting team hierarchies and the value of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, omitted from the team last month, has been under scrutiny since coming back to the fold in the current camp. In effect he was being assessed and he hasn't helped his case with his response to his substitution as the side wrapped up a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

The Coach's Plan

It means the jury is out on how the squad operate most effectively with Bellingham in the team. The performance was open to interpretation. Some new ideas were tested from the manager at the start. He has provided the squad structure and clarity over the past few matches, employing a No 6, a central midfielder, a playmaker and dedicated wide players, but it felt different versus Albania. The young defender was given his first cap, the midfielder made his first start at this level and the use of the defender as a makeshift midfielder gave a passing resemblance to City's team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham had ups and downs. He created an opportunity for Eze during the second half but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. There were a lot of hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro against an opponent in the early stages. England's play was messy after halftime. An opportunity for Albania came after Bellingham squandered possession. His booking occurred when an opponent took the ball to Broja and brought down the attacker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the squad's strength was decisive. Tuchel threw on Foden, who looked more naturally fitted to the spot that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and Bukayo Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a set-piece for the captain to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that set pieces will be crucial in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of the winger's delivery for the second goal was partly forgotten due to the fuss of the player change. When the match concluded, all eyes were on him. The coach approached behind him and directed the Real Madrid midfielder to acknowledge the travelling England fans. The bond between them remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to give up on the player just yet. However, whether the coach is prepared to offer him centre stage is still uncertain.