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For Bellingham to aims to earn his place back into England’s top team, he would be wise to cut out the nonsense. His reaction when he saw that he was being shown after an evening of inconsistency in Tirana was not good enough.

"I prefer not to overstate it but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the squad members who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you must accept them being a professional."

The midfielder must understand. It was unnecessary for a strop. Harry Kane had just put the national team two goals ahead in a dead rubber qualifier, the game had six minutes to go and Bellingham, following an inconsistent display, was just shown a yellow for a foul on Armando Broja. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. Indeed it would have been foolish for Tuchel to leave Bellingham on given that there was a risk he would be suspended of the opening game of the tournament by picking up a another booking.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the player's annoyance upon understanding that he would be substituted for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and although he shook Tuchel’s hand while heading to the touchline it was clear that the manager was not impressed.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to score his second goal, but his other actions was harmful to his cause. It's not like complaining was going to reverse the substitution. The German has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the necessity of showing proper conduct.

Facing Examination

The midfielder, omitted from last month’s squad, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the squad this month. Practically he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to his substitution as the national team completed a flawless qualification run by overcoming a tough opposition from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

It means the jury is out on if the team operate most effectively including Bellingham. The evidence here was inconclusive. There was experimentation from the manager in the beginning. Under him, England have gained the team structure and clarity in recent months, employing a holding player, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different versus Albania. Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the use of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder created a faint echo to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He set up a shot for Eze after the break but often looked trying too hard. Several rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder early on. England's play was messy after halftime. A scoring chance for the opponents came after Bellingham squandered possession. His caution was shown after he lost the ball from Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

Finally England’s depth proved crucial. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed better suited to the role in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka provided a corner kick for the captain to open the scoring. It highlighted that corners and free-kicks will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

However, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford's cross for Kane's goal was somewhat overlooked in the ridiculousness of the Rogers substitution. After the final whistle, all eyes were on him. The coach approached from behind and guided Bellingham to acknowledge the English fans. Their relationship is not broken. The coach isn't ready to abandon Bellingham yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to grant him centre stage remains in doubt.