Should Bellingham wants to force his way once again into the English top team, it would be smart to eliminate the unnecessary reactions. The way he reacted upon realizing that he was about to come up after an evening of uneven play in the match against Albania was not good enough.
"I don’t want to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'behaviour is key' and respect for the squad members who come in," commented the coach. "Choices are taken and you need to comply being a professional."
Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a tantrum. Kane had only moments earlier made it England 2-0 up in an inconsequential fixture, with only six minutes remaining and the player, who had not played particularly well, had just been booked for fouling Armando Broja. This was hardly a questionable change. In fact it might have been reckless for Tuchel to not substitute him considering there was a risk he would be suspended of the initial fixture of the World Cup by receiving a second caution.
But Bellingham drew all eyes toward himself. No one could overlook the 22-year-old’s disappointment when he clocked that he was going to make way for a teammate. He threw his arms up and even though he shook Tuchel’s hand after making his way to the sideline there was no doubt that the head coach was displeased.
This is the challenge for Bellingham. He applauded his teammate for providing the assist for Harry Kane to nod home the team's second, but the rest was counterproductive. It's not like protesting was going to reverse the substitution. The coach has talked so much about following squad protocols and the necessity of acting professionally.
He, not included in the team last month, is being watched carefully after returning to the squad this month. Practically his place has been in question and he hasn't helped his case with his response to coming off the pitch as England rounded off a flawless qualification run by overcoming a tough opposition from Albania.
It means it's unclear on whether England operate most effectively including Bellingham. The evidence here was open to interpretation. Tuchel tried new things from Tuchel in the beginning. He has given the team structure and clarity in recent months, using a holding player, a No 8, a No 10 and out-and-out wingers, but it felt different against Albania. Quansah was given his first cap, the midfielder made his first start for England and the role of John Stones as a part-time midfielder meant there was passing resemblance to Manchester City’s 2023 treble winners.
Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for his teammate during the second half but often looked too desperate to impress. He made many hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player in the early stages. England's play was messy for much of the second half. A scoring chance for the opponents resulted from Bellingham squandered possession. The yellow card occurred when he lost the ball to Broja and fouled the attacker.
In the end England’s depth was decisive. The coach brought on Phil Foden, who seemed more naturally fitted to the spot that Bellingham had played in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka whipped in a corner kick for Harry Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that dead-ball situations will be crucial at the World Cup.
Nevertheless, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford's cross for Kane's goal was a little lost amid the drama of the player change. After the final whistle, all eyes were on Bellingham. Tuchel came over behind him and directed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the away supporters. Their connection remains intact. Tuchel is not willing to abandon him at this stage. But if Tuchel is inclined to give him a starring role is still uncertain.
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