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If Jude Bellingham aims to fight his way once again into England’s best team, it would be smart to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His response upon realizing that his number was being shown following a night of uneven play in the match against Albania was unacceptable.

"I don’t want to overstate it but I stick to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the teammates who substitute on," commented the coach. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it being a professional."

Bellingham has to learn. It was unnecessary for an outburst. The captain had only moments earlier made it the national team two goals ahead in a meaningless match, the game had six minutes to go and the player, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for fouling Armando Broja. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. Indeed it might have been reckless for the head coach to not substitute him because there was a chance he would make himself ineligible of the initial fixture of the tournament by getting a second caution.

Drawing Attention on Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the 22-year-old’s frustration as he realized that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and although he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the sideline it was obvious that the manager was displeased.

Here lies the test that Bellingham must overcome. He applauded Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to nod home his second of the night, but his other actions was counterproductive. There was no chance arguing was going to reverse the substitution. The German has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the value of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

The midfielder, left out of the previous squad, has faced close inspection after returning to the squad this month. In effect he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him by reacting to being taken off as England completed a flawless qualification run by overcoming a feisty challenge from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

It means the jury is out on whether England perform optimally including Bellingham. What we saw was not definitive. There was experimentation by the coach in the beginning. He has provided the squad a clear system in recent months, using a No 6, a box-to-box player, an attacking midfielder and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. The young defender was made his England debut, Adam Wharton made his first start internationally and the positioning of the defender as an auxiliary midfielder gave a faint echo to City's 2023 treble winners.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham had ups and downs. He made a chance for Eze in the latter period but often looked too desperate to impress. Several rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with a rival player at the beginning. England's play was messy for much of the second half. A scoring chance for the opponents followed Bellingham gave the ball away. His caution came after he was dispossessed from Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

Finally the squad's strength made the difference. Tuchel threw on the Manchester City player, who appeared more naturally fitted to the role occupied by Bellingham earlier in the match, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka whipped in a set-piece for the captain to break the deadlock. It highlighted that dead-ball situations are going to be vital next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Nevertheless, all talk was about Bellingham. The excellence of the winger's delivery for Kane's goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. At the end, all eyes were on Bellingham. Tuchel came over behind him and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder towards the travelling England fans. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel hasn't decided to abandon him at this stage. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to give him the central position remains in doubt.