🔗 Share this article

If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place into the English strongest squad, it would be smart to eliminate the unnecessary reactions. His response upon realizing that his number was going up following a night of uneven play in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the players who substitute on," stated Tuchel. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it when you're on the field."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for a tantrum. The captain had recently scored to make the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and Bellingham, after a below-par performance, was just shown a yellow for fouling Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. In fact it might have been reckless for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering there was a chance Bellingham would be suspended of the first match of the tournament by receiving a another booking.

Shifting Focus to Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. It was impossible to miss the young midfielder's disappointment when he clocked that he was going to make way for a teammate. He threw his arms up and while he exchanged a handshake on his way to the touchline there was no doubt that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle facing Bellingham. He congratulated his teammate for providing the assist for Harry Kane to nod home the team's second, but his other actions was harmful to his cause. It's not like complaining was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly following squad protocols and the value of showing proper conduct.

In the Spotlight

He, left out of last month’s squad, has been under scrutiny since coming back to the fold recently. Practically his place has been in question and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to his substitution as the national team rounded off a flawless qualification run by seeing off a feisty challenge from Albania.

Tactics and Formation

This implies opinions are divided on how the squad operate most effectively when Bellingham plays. The performance was inconclusive. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel in the beginning. He has given the team organization and direction lately, using a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and dedicated wide players, but it felt different versus Albania. Jarell Quansah was handed his international debut, the midfielder made his first start internationally and the role of Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was faint echo to Manchester City’s team that won three trophies.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham had ups and downs. He made a chance for his teammate in the latter period but at times seemed trying too hard. He made many poorly executed passes. An unnecessary confrontation with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged after halftime. One Albania chance resulted from Bellingham squandered possession. His booking occurred when he was dispossessed to Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

Ultimately the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who looked better suited to the spot that Bellingham had played in the opening period, and Saka. Eventually Saka whipped in a set-piece for the captain to score the first goal. It highlighted that dead-ball situations will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Bridge Still Stands

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford's cross for Kane’s header was somewhat overlooked amid the drama of the player change. At the end, everyone was watching the midfielder. Tuchel came over to his side and directed Bellingham towards the English fans. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to abandon him at this stage. But if the coach is prepared to offer him a starring role is still uncertain.