Bellingham showed why he needed to be a starter at the World Cup.

The game-defining moment came when Jude Bellingham was reverted to a pure number 10 role in the second half. From there, he consistently created game-changing plays and directly initiated the sequence of situations leading to the corner kick – where Harry Kane scored the opening goal against Albania. It was a clear answer to the question of why Bellingham should be a starter at the World Cup.

The progression: from initial confusion to gaining control.

Bellingham returned to England's starting lineup for the first time since June, drawing considerable attention after much debate about his form and role. Against Albania, Thomas Tuchel deployed a new system, requiring Bellingham to share the number 10 space with Declan Rice in several plays – an arrangement that left him somewhat disoriented in the opening minutes.

The 22-year-old midfielder makes a concerted effort to move around the pitch: constantly swapping positions with Jarrod Bowen to create space, and at times dropping back to exchange passes with John Stones to receive the ball from the defense. Proactiveness is Bellingham's hallmark, but sometimes his desire to make an impact leads him to rush his play. There was even a moment when he nearly collided with Myrto Uzuni – a detail that exposed the impulsiveness of a player wanting to do too much when the game isn't going well. The positive aspect is that Bellingham quickly calmed down, gradually adjusting to find his rhythm.

In a lackluster first half for England, a quick one-two pass between Bellingham and Harry Kane provided a rare moment of brilliance. Bowen finished the move with a shot toward Thomas Strakosha, but it was Bellingham's through ball that broke down Albania's compact defense and created the clearest chance of the first half.

Tactical analysis: Pure number 10 unleashes Bellingham.

When Tuchel made adjustments after the break and returned Bellingham to a pure number 10, his energy and influence immediately changed. No longer having to share space or restrict his movement, Bellingham played instinctively: creative, decisive, and unpredictable – qualities that England had lacked throughout the first half.

• A sharp through ball opened up a golden opportunity for Eberechi Eze.
• A delicate through ball allowed Jarell Quansah to break free, indirectly creating a dangerous shot for Bukayo Saka.
• A powerful dribble forced the Albanian defense to hastily clear the ball, resulting in a corner kick – the situation in which Kane opened the scoring.

Details that show class

Bellingham reiterated why he was considered one of the standout midfielders at the age of 22: his ability to smoothly dribble the ball forward, his intelligent situational awareness, and his timely boldness to break the deadlock. When space opened up between the lines, he immediately exploited it with through passes or quick one-touch touches to bypass a compact defensive block.

Responses and messages from the technical area

Unsurprisingly, Bellingham was unhappy about being substituted while in good form. After the match, Tuchel emphasized that the top priority was the team's rhythm – a clear message that individual contributions must serve the overall structure.

Impact on the 2026 World Cup plans

The match against Albania showed that England needed a midfielder who could control the ball, dribble, unlock defenses, and contribute to overall pressing. Bellingham met all those requirements and demonstrated maturity: not only relying on inspiration, he also quickly adapted to new tactical demands and a more complex role.

When England reconvene in March, Bellingham will likely remain a top priority in the German manager's plans. If the Three Lions want to go far in the 2026 World Cup, he will almost certainly have to be in the starting lineup – not only because of his skill, but also because of the competitive spirit that few of Tuchel's players possess.