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If Jude Bellingham hopes to fight his way back into England’s top team, the smart move to do away with the dramatics. The way he reacted upon realizing that his number was being shown following a night of inconsistency in Tirana was not good enough.

"I’d rather not overstate it but I stick to my words 'behaviour is key' and respect for the squad members who come in," commented the coach. "Substitutions happen and you need to comply as a player."

The midfielder must understand. There was no need for a tantrum. The captain had just put the national team 2-0 up in an inconsequential match, there were six minutes left and he, after a below-par performance, was just shown a yellow for bringing down an opponent. This was hardly a questionable change. Actually it would have been unwise for the manager to not substitute him given that there was a risk Bellingham would make himself ineligible of the opening game of the tournament by receiving a another booking.

Shifting Focus Upon Himself

However, the player turned the spotlight on himself. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s disappointment as he realized that he was going to make way for a teammate. He flung his arms in the air and although he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the touchline it was clear that the manager was displeased.

Here lies the test for Bellingham. He applauded his teammate for sending in the ball for the captain to nod home the team's second, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It's not like arguing was going to change Tuchel’s mind. The coach has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the necessity of showing proper conduct.

Under Scrutiny

He, left out of last month’s squad, has faced close inspection since coming back to the fold recently. Essentially he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him with his response to coming off the pitch as the side wrapped up a ideal group stage by seeing off a spirited effort from the Albanian team.

The System and the Setup

It means opinions are divided on how England function at their best including Bellingham. What we saw was open to interpretation. There was experimentation from Tuchel early on. He has given the team organization and direction in recent months, building with a No 6, a central midfielder, a playmaker and dedicated wide players, but the approach changed versus Albania. The young defender was made his England debut, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder created a passing resemblance to the Manchester club's team that won three trophies.

Mixed Performance

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eberechi Eze after the break but often looked trying too hard. He made many poorly executed passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. England were ragged during most of the second period. A scoring chance for the opponents followed Bellingham squandered possession. His booking was shown after he was dispossessed by Broja and committed a foul on Broja.

Depth Makes the Difference

Ultimately England’s depth made the difference. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who appeared more naturally fitted to the role in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Saka. Eventually Saka provided a corner kick for the captain to score the first goal. This served as a reminder that dead-ball situations will play a key role in the upcoming tournament.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The quality of the winger's delivery for Kane’s header was partly forgotten amid the drama of the Rogers substitution. When the match concluded, everyone was watching Bellingham. The coach approached behind him and pushed Bellingham in the direction of the away supporters. The bond between them remains intact. The coach isn't ready to give up on him at this stage. But if the coach is prepared to grant him a starring role is still uncertain.