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If Jude Bellingham aims to fight his way back into the English strongest team, the smart move to do away with the dramatics. His reaction when he saw that he was about to come up following a night of inconsistency in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the players who come in," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you must accept them when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for an outburst. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the national team leading by two in a dead rubber match, with only six minutes remaining and he, who had not played particularly well, had just been booked for a foul on Armando Broja. It was not a debatable decision. Indeed it would have been unwise for the manager to leave Bellingham on because there was a risk Bellingham would be suspended of the opening game of the World Cup by receiving a second yellow card.

Drawing Attention to Himself

However, the player made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the player's disappointment as he realized that his replacement was ready for another player. He flung his arms in the air and although he accepted the coach's hand on his way to the sideline it was obvious that the head coach was displeased.

This represents the hurdle for Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for providing the assist for Harry Kane to score the team's second, but the rest was counterproductive. There was no chance arguing was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the importance of behaving correctly.

Under Scrutiny

He, omitted from the team last month, is being watched carefully after returning to the squad recently. Practically he was being assessed and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to his substitution as the national team completed a flawless qualification run by defeating a tough opposition from Albania.

Tactics and Formation

It means opinions are divided on if the squad function at their best including Bellingham. The performance was not definitive. Tuchel tried new things from the manager in the beginning. He has provided England organization and direction over the past few matches, using a holding player, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but the approach changed versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the use of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was faint echo to City's historic treble-winning side.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He created an opportunity for his teammate in the latter period but often looked trying too hard. Several rushed, misplaced passes. A pointless clash with a rival player in the early stages. The team looked disjointed after halftime. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham gave the ball away. His booking was shown after he was dispossessed by Broja and brought down Broja.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the squad's strength was decisive. Tuchel introduced Foden, who appeared more naturally fitted to the role in which Bellingham operated earlier in the match, and the Arsenal winger. Eventually Saka provided a corner kick for the captain to score the first goal. It was a reminder that dead-ball situations will be crucial next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, the focus was on Bellingham. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was partly forgotten amid the drama of the Rogers substitution. At the end, the focus was on the midfielder. The coach approached behind him and directed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. The bond between them remains intact. The coach isn't ready to discard Bellingham yet. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to offer him centre stage is not guaranteed.