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If Jude Bellingham aims to earn his place back into England’s best team, it would be smart to cut out the dramatics. The way he reacted after noticing that his number was being shown after an evening of inconsistency in Tirana was not good enough.

"I prefer not to make more out of it but I stick to my words 'attitude matters' and consideration for the teammates who substitute on," commented the coach. "Choices are taken and you must accept them as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. It was unnecessary for a tantrum. Harry Kane had just put the Three Lions 2-0 up in an inconsequential fixture, the game had six minutes to go and the player, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for bringing down Armando Broja. It was not a questionable change. Indeed it would have been unwise for the manager to not substitute him considering there was a chance the midfielder would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the World Cup by receiving a second caution.

Turning the Spotlight on Himself

Yet Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. There was no disguising the player's disappointment upon understanding that he would be substituted for another player. He flung his arms in the air and while he exchanged a handshake while heading to the sideline it was obvious that the manager was displeased.

This represents the hurdle that Bellingham must overcome. He applauded his teammate for sending in the ball for Harry Kane to score his second goal, but his other actions was harmful to his cause. It is not as if complaining was going to reverse the substitution. Tuchel has repeatedly emphasized honoring the team structure and the value of behaving correctly.

In the Spotlight

The midfielder, left out of the team last month, has been under scrutiny upon his return to the team this month. Practically he has been on trial and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to being taken off as the national team wrapped up a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a spirited effort from their opponents.

The Coach's Plan

As a result the jury is out on whether England perform optimally when Bellingham plays. The performance was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach at the start. He has provided the squad organization and direction lately, using a No 6, a No 8, an attacking midfielder and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel in this match. Quansah was handed his international debut, Wharton was in the starting lineup internationally and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder gave a similar look to the Manchester club's 2023 treble winners.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham had ups and downs. He made a chance for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but at times seemed too desperate to impress. There were a lot of rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder in the early stages. England's play was messy for much of the second half. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham squandered possession. The yellow card occurred when an opponent took the ball to Broja and brought down the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

Finally the bench quality made the difference. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who appeared better suited to the role that Bellingham had played earlier in the match, and the Arsenal winger. Eventually Saka delivered a set-piece for the captain to break the deadlock. It highlighted that set pieces will play a key role next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Nevertheless, all talk was about Bellingham. The excellence of the winger's delivery for Kane’s header was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. When the match concluded, all eyes were on Bellingham. Tuchel came over behind him and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. Their connection remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to discard the player just yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him centre stage is still uncertain.