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If Jude Bellingham aims to fight his way once again into the English best squad, it would be smart to cut out the nonsense. His response after noticing that his number was being shown following a night of mixed performance in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I don’t want to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the teammates who come in," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you need to comply as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no need for a strop. Harry Kane had just put the national team leading by two in a meaningless match, there were six minutes left and he, after a below-par performance, was just shown a yellow for a foul on an opponent. It was not a debatable decision. Actually it would have been unwise for the head coach to not substitute him given that it was possible Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the first match of the competition by receiving a second caution.

Shifting Focus to Himself

However, the player turned the spotlight on himself. No one could overlook the player's annoyance when he clocked that he would be substituted for a teammate. He threw his arms up and while he shook Tuchel’s hand on his way to the sideline it was clear that the manager did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He praised his teammate for delivering the cross for Kane to score the team's second, but the rest was counterproductive. There was no chance protesting was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the importance of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, left out of the team last month, has been under scrutiny after returning to the fold recently. Practically he was being assessed and he hasn't helped his case with his response to his substitution as England completed a ideal group stage by seeing off a feisty challenge from their opponents.

Tactics and Formation

It means the jury is out on whether the team operate most effectively including Bellingham. The performance was open to interpretation. Some new ideas were tested from Tuchel in the beginning. He has provided the squad a clear system lately, building with a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and dedicated wide players, but there was a different feel against Albania. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup at this level and the positioning of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder created a passing resemblance to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham had ups and downs. He set up a shot for Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared too desperate to impress. There were a lot of rushed, misplaced passes. A pointless clash against an opponent in the early stages. The team looked disjointed after halftime. An opportunity for Albania came after he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card occurred when he lost the ball by Broja and fouled Broja.

Substitutes Decide

In the end the squad's strength proved crucial. The coach brought on Phil Foden, who looked better suited to the position occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a corner kick for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that corners and free-kicks are going to be vital next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane's goal was partly forgotten in the ridiculousness of the player change. When the match concluded, everyone was watching him. The coach approached to his side and guided the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. Their relationship is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to discard the player just yet. Yet whether the coach is prepared to grant him the central position is not guaranteed.