🔗 Share this article

Should Bellingham aims to earn his place once again into the English best team, it would be smart to do away with the unnecessary reactions. His response when he saw that he was being shown after an evening of mixed performance in the match against Albania fell short of expectations.

"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the squad members who come in," stated Tuchel. "Choices are taken and you must accept them being a professional."

The midfielder must understand. It was unnecessary for an outburst. Kane had recently scored to make the national team 2-0 up in a dead rubber qualifier, there were six minutes left and the player, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for bringing down Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. Indeed it would have been foolish for Tuchel to leave Bellingham on given that there was a chance the midfielder would be suspended of the opening game of the World Cup by picking up a second yellow card.

Shifting Focus to Himself

However, the player drew all eyes toward himself. It was impossible to miss the player's annoyance upon understanding that he was going to make way for another player. He threw his arms up and even though he accepted the coach's hand after making his way to the bench there was no doubt that the head coach did not appreciate it.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He praised Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to head in the team's second, but the rest was harmful to his cause. It is not as if protesting was going to change Tuchel’s mind. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the necessity of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

Bellingham, omitted from the previous squad, has faced close inspection after returning to the team this month. In effect he was being assessed and his actions haven't benefited him through his behavior to being taken off as England rounded off a flawless qualification run by defeating a tough opposition from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

As a result it's unclear on how the team function at their best when Bellingham plays. The evidence here was open to interpretation. Tuchel tried new things by the coach in the beginning. He has provided the squad structure and clarity in recent months, employing a No 6, a central midfielder, a No 10 and dedicated wide players, but it felt different in this match. Quansah was given his first cap, Adam Wharton made his first start at this level and the use of the defender as a part-time midfielder meant there was similar look to City's historic treble-winning side.

Inconsistent Display

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eberechi Eze during the second half but frequently appeared too desperate to impress. He made many hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder at the beginning. The team looked disjointed after halftime. A scoring chance for the opponents followed Bellingham squandered possession. His booking was shown after an opponent took the ball to Broja and committed a foul on the attacker.

Squad Strength Shows

Ultimately the bench quality made the difference. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who looked more naturally fitted to the position occupied by Bellingham in the opening period, and Saka. In time Saka provided a set-piece for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that set pieces will be crucial at the World Cup.

Connection Remains

However, Bellingham was the story. The quality of Rashford’s assist for Kane’s header was a little lost amid the drama of the substitution incident. When the match concluded, all eyes were on him. The coach approached from behind and directed Bellingham to acknowledge the away supporters. Their connection is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to discard the player just yet. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to grant him the central position is still uncertain.