Jarell Quansah Withdraws from England Squad Due to Injury Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Against Latvia
Jarell Quansah, the promising 22-year-old centre-back, has officially withdrawn from England’s squad after sustaining an injury. This unfortunate development means he will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday. Quansah has returned to Bayer Leverkusen for precautionary measures, where the club’s medical team will assess the injury further.
Despite not yet making his senior debut for England, Quansah had high hopes for this international break, as it marked his inclusion in five previous squads without getting on the pitch. His anticipation was dashed when he remained on the bench during England’s 3–0 victory over Wales at Wembley last Thursday and was subsequently ruled out of the squad entirely.
England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, has opted not to call up a replacement for Quansah, maintaining his 25-man roster for the final qualifier of this international break. This decision reflects Tuchel’s confidence in the depth of the squad, although it is another setback for Quansah, whose impressive rise at Bayer Leverkusen has yet to translate into international recognition.
Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool in a £30 million transfer over the summer and has made a significant impact in Germany, earning regular starts in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Tuchel had previously recognized his form with a call-up earlier this month, and Quansah was expected to play a role in England’s double-header.
This injury setback comes at a time when other players in the squad, including Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, are also dealing with fitness concerns. Kane, 32, missed the victory over Wales due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich, while Watkins had to leave the game at halftime after colliding with the post and injuring his knee.
Despite these challenges, Tuchel’s decision not to summon reinforcements is seen as a positive sign for both Kane and Watkins, suggesting they may recover in time for the match against Latvia. England’s coaching staff is carefully managing player workloads, especially with the demanding club schedule approaching the winter months.
The Three Lions currently lead their World Cup qualifying group and will resume training this afternoon following a rest day on Friday. Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad for the Latvia clash, providing opportunities for some fringe players as England aims to maintain their unbeaten record in the campaign.
For Quansah, this withdrawal is a frustrating twist in what was anticipated to be a breakthrough month for him. His development at Leverkusen has stood out as one of the most exciting success stories in English football abroad this season. Tuchel has praised Quansah for his composure, ball-playing skills, and maturity, which are well beyond his years.
England’s medical team will keep in close contact with Bayer Leverkusen regarding Quansah’s recovery, with hopes that he will be fit to return to action domestically after the international break. For now, he continues to wait for that elusive first cap with the national team.
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