England head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed his disappointment with Jude Bellingham's reaction to being substituted during their recent 2-0 victory against Albania in a World Cup qualifier. The win, secured by Harry Kane's brace, ensured England completed their Group K campaign with a perfect record. However, Bellingham's visible frustration after being replaced by Morgan Rogers in the 84th minute has overshadowed the positive result.

Bellingham, making his first start for England since June, displayed his displeasure by flinging his arms in the air after Kane's second goal when he realized he was being substituted. Tuchel, who has emphasized squad cohesion and high standards since taking charge, was unimpressed by the display of frustration.

"He has to accept the decision," Tuchel stated, emphasizing the importance of respecting team decisions. "His friend is waiting on the sideline, so you need to accept it, respect it, and keep on going". He further added, "It is about standards and level, and it's a commitment to and respect to each other, so someone is waiting outside, and we will not change our decision just because someone is waving their arms".

Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham's competitive nature, recognizing that players of his caliber never like being substituted. However, he reiterated that maintaining standards and mutual respect within the squad is paramount. "To a certain degree if you have players like Jude, who are so competitive, they will never like it, but, as you said, my word stands," Tuchel said. "It is about standards and level, and it's a commitment to and respect to each other".

Adding to the frustration, Bellingham received criticism on social media for swapping his shirt with an Albanian player at halftime. Tuchel downplayed the significance of Bellingham's reaction, stating, "Yeah he didn't like it but no-one likes it," and highlighting that Morgan Rogers also had to accept a decision he didn't like.

This isn't the first time Bellingham's on-field conduct has been a topic of discussion. Earlier this year, Tuchel admitted that Bellingham's "rage" and "fire" can sometimes be "a bit repulsive," even to his own mother. He clarified that while he welcomes Bellingham's "edge," it needs to be channeled appropriately. "The edge needs to be channeled toward the opponent, towards our goal and not to intimidate team-mates, or to be over aggressive to team-mates or referees," Tuchel said in June.

Notably, Bellingham was absent from a previous England squad due to a shoulder injury. Despite the current situation, Tuchel has previously stated that there's no personal problem between him and Bellingham.

The incident highlights the delicate balance between managing individual player expectations and maintaining team discipline. Tuchel's firm stance underscores his commitment to fostering a culture of respect and collective responsibility within the England squad as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. England will discover their opponents for the tournament at the draw on December 5.