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If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place back into England’s best squad, he would be wise to do away with the dramatics. His reaction upon realizing that his number was going up after a match of uneven play in Tirana was unacceptable.

"I’d rather not make more out of it but I hold to my words 'conduct is crucial' and respect for the players who enter the game," Tuchel said. "Choices are taken and you must accept them as a player."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. There was no need for a tantrum. Kane had just put the national team leading by two in a dead rubber qualifier, there were six minutes left and Bellingham, following an inconsistent display, had just been booked for bringing down an opponent. This could scarcely be called a debatable decision. In fact it would have been unwise for Tuchel to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering there was a chance the midfielder would rule himself out of the initial fixture of the tournament by receiving a another booking.

Shifting Focus Upon Himself

Yet Bellingham made himself the center of attention. No one could overlook the young midfielder's frustration upon understanding that his replacement was ready for a teammate. He threw his arms up and although he accepted the coach's hand while heading to the sideline it was obvious that Tuchel was displeased.

This is the challenge facing Bellingham. He praised his teammate for sending in the ball for the captain to score the team's second, but the rest was self-defeating. It is not as if complaining was going to change Tuchel’s mind. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly following squad protocols and the importance of acting professionally.

Facing Examination

He, omitted from last month’s squad, is being watched carefully after returning to the fold this month. Essentially his place has been in question and he has not done himself any favours through his behavior to being taken off as the national team rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a spirited effort from their opponents.

The System and the Setup

As a result the jury is out on whether the team operate most effectively with Bellingham in the team. The evidence here was open to interpretation. Some new ideas were tested from the manager early on. He has provided the squad a clear system over the past few matches, using a holding player, a box-to-box player, a playmaker and out-and-out wingers, but there was a different feel in this match. Jarell Quansah was made his England debut, the midfielder made his first start for England and the role of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder created a faint echo to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

Mixed Performance

His performance was inconsistent. He set up a shot for Eze after the break but frequently appeared trying too hard. Several hurried and errant passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder early on. The team looked disjointed after halftime. One Albania chance came after he lost the ball cheaply. The yellow card was shown after he was dispossessed from Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Substitutes Decide

Finally the bench quality was decisive. Tuchel threw on Foden, who seemed more comfortable to the spot that Bellingham had played during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. In time Saka delivered a corner for Kane to open the scoring. This served as a reminder that dead-ball situations are going to be vital next summer.

Relationship Not Broken

Still, though, all talk was about Bellingham. The brilliance of the winger's delivery for the second goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. At the end, all eyes were on the midfielder. The coach approached behind him and directed Bellingham to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their relationship remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to discard Bellingham yet. However, whether Tuchel is inclined to give him a starring role remains in doubt.