England manager Thomas Tuchel has downplayed Jude Bellingham’s visible frustration after being substituted during last night’s victory over Albania, but he also stressed the importance of professionalism and respect within the national team setup.
Bellingham, who produced a Man of the Match display in England’s convincing win, was withdrawn in the 84th minute for youngster Morgan Rogers. The Real Madrid star was clearly unhappy with the decision, walking off with a disappointed expression and offering a muted reaction to the change.
Speaking after the match, Tuchel addressed the moment directly. “I don’t want to make more out of it, but I stick to my words… behaviour is key,” the England boss said. “Even respect towards the team-mates who come in. Decisions are made and you have to accept it as a player.”
Tuchel insisted the substitution was tactical rather than performance-related, highlighting the need to manage minutes across the squad, especially with England set to play another fixture in a few days. He also noted the importance of giving opportunities to emerging talents like Rogers.