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For Bellingham to wants to fight his way once again into the English best squad, the smart move to eliminate the dramatics. His response when he saw that he was about to come up after an evening of uneven play in Tirana fell short of expectations.

"I prefer not to blow it out of proportion but I hold to my words 'attitude matters' and respect for the squad members who substitute on," Tuchel said. "Decisions are made and you must accept them as a player."

Bellingham has to learn. There was no call for an outburst. Harry Kane had recently scored to make the Three Lions leading by two in a dead rubber match, with only six minutes remaining and Bellingham, following an inconsistent display, had just been booked for bringing down the Albanian striker. This was hardly a controversial substitution. Indeed it might have been reckless for Tuchel to leave Bellingham on because there was a chance he would be suspended of the initial fixture of the tournament by picking up a second yellow card.

Turning the Spotlight Upon Himself

But Bellingham made himself the center of attention. It was impossible to miss the young midfielder's annoyance upon understanding that his replacement was ready for Morgan Rogers. He threw his arms up and although he exchanged a handshake after making his way to the bench there was no doubt that Tuchel was not impressed.

This is the challenge that Bellingham must overcome. He praised Marcus Rashford for sending in the ball for the captain to head in the team's second, but his other actions was counterproductive. It is not as if arguing was going to reverse the substitution. The coach has talked so much about following squad protocols and the value of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

He, omitted from the previous squad, has been under scrutiny since coming back to the squad in the current camp. In effect he was being assessed and he has not done himself any favours with his response to being taken off as England wrapped up a ideal group stage by seeing off a feisty challenge from Albania.

The System and the Setup

It means it's unclear on how the squad function at their best with Bellingham in the team. The performance was open to interpretation. There was experimentation from Tuchel in the beginning. He has provided the squad structure and clarity over the past few matches, employing a holding player, a No 8, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but the approach changed against Albania. Quansah was made his England debut, Adam Wharton was in the starting lineup for England and the use of Stones as a makeshift midfielder meant there was similar look to the Manchester club's historic treble-winning side.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham had ups and downs. He set up a shot for his teammate during the second half but frequently appeared trying too hard. He made many hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with an Albania midfielder early on. The team looked disjointed during most of the second period. An opportunity for Albania followed Bellingham squandered possession. His caution occurred when he lost the ball by Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Depth Makes the Difference

Ultimately the bench quality proved crucial. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who appeared better suited to the role in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Saka. In time Saka provided a corner kick for Kane to break the deadlock. This served as a reminder that corners and free-kicks are going to be vital next summer.

Connection Remains

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashford's cross for Kane's goal was partly forgotten amid the drama of the substitution incident. After the final whistle, all eyes were on him. Tuchel walked up behind him and directed Bellingham to acknowledge the travelling England fans. Their connection is not damaged. Tuchel hasn't decided to give up on the player just yet. Yet whether Tuchel is inclined to offer him the central position remains in doubt.