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If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place back into the English strongest team, he would be wise to cut out the dramatics. His reaction when he saw that he was being shown after an evening of inconsistency in the match against Albania was not good enough.

"I’d rather not blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the players who enter the game," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you must accept them when you're on the field."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no call for a tantrum. The captain had just put the Three Lions leading by two in a dead rubber match, the game had six minutes to go and Bellingham, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for bringing down an opponent. This was hardly a debatable decision. Actually it would have been unwise for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch given that there was a chance he would rule himself out of the opening game of the tournament by receiving a second caution.

Drawing Attention on Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. It was impossible to miss the player's disappointment upon understanding that he would be substituted for another player. His arms went up in exasperation and although he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the sideline it was clear that Tuchel was not impressed.

Here lies the test facing Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to score his second goal, but everything else was counterproductive. It is not as if protesting was going to alter the decision. The German has talked so much about honoring the team structure and the importance of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

The midfielder, not included in last month’s squad, is being watched carefully since coming back to the squad recently. In effect his place has been in question and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to his substitution as the side completed a perfect qualifying campaign by defeating a tough opposition from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

As a result the jury is out on whether the squad operate most effectively with Bellingham in the team. What we saw was inconclusive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach in the beginning. Under him, England have gained the squad organization and direction lately, employing a holding player, a No 8, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but it felt different in this match. Jarell Quansah was given his first cap, the midfielder started for the first time for England and the use of John Stones as a makeshift midfielder gave a similar look to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He created an opportunity for his teammate in the latter period but at times seemed too desperate to impress. Several poorly executed passes. An unnecessary confrontation with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania resulted from he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card occurred when an opponent took the ball from Broja and brought down the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

In the end England’s depth made the difference. The coach brought on the Manchester City player, who seemed better suited to the role that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and Bukayo Saka. Later Saka whipped in a corner kick for Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks will play a key role at the World Cup.

Relationship Not Broken

However, all talk was about Bellingham. The brilliance of the winger's delivery for Kane's goal was somewhat overlooked due to the fuss of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, all eyes were on him. The coach approached from behind and pushed the player in the direction of the English fans. Their connection is not broken. The coach isn't ready to abandon Bellingham yet. However, whether Tuchel is inclined to grant him a starring role is still uncertain.