Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah was the unlucky 27th member of England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Quansah has risen quickly over the last year, from League One to the senior national team setup.
Few anticipated the Liverpool academy graduate to have such a successful season. Quansah is now a full-fledged part of Liverpool’s senior squad, and England manager Gareth Southgate is considering him.
Nonetheless, after being called up to the Three Lions’ pre-Euro 2024 squad, Quansah will be desperate to make his way into the final group.
Ultimately, it always seemed doubtful, and the 21-year-old will return to the AXA Training Centre on the first day of preseason under Arne Slot. Having said that, England veteran Wayne Rooney thinks Quansah has every right to be disappointed.
Wayne Rooney shares Jarell Quansah’s observation.
With England’s Harry Maguire out due to injury, there was a little window for Quansah to travel to Germany.
Although it was not to be, Southgate cut Quansah and Curtis Jones at the same time, although the Liverpool defender was maintained in the squad for Friday’s game against Iceland.
That was clearly wonderful news for Quansah. Not only did it imply that he had been closer than Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, but it also hinted that he could make his national team debut at Wembley.
In the end, that did not occur. England struggled against the team that knocked them out of Euro 2016, losing 1-0 on the night. Quansah stayed on the bench throughout.
After the game, while the other 26 went to Germany, the Liverpool player returned home. Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney stated that Southgate mistreated Quansah.
“That’s why I believe Gareth should have sent them all home [after informing them they wouldn’t be selected],” claimed the Manchester United legend.
“He kept Quansah there, and I watched him after the game. I was on the sideline watching TV, and I saw every player stroll around the pitch after the game. “As soon as the final whistle goes, Quansah goes in,” Rooney said.
“You immediately get a split. He presumably saw that no one was wounded, and I felt bad for him because he was probably taking a shower and leaving, and he was the only one there.
“I think Gareth should have said go home, if there is an injury be ready, and give them that 24 or 48 hours, if anyone gets injured I’ll call you, otherwise go on your holidays.”
Is Jarell Quansah mismanaged by England?
From a Liverpool perspective, we are not generally inclined to agree with Rooney. Rooney despises Liverpool FC with every fiber of his soul.
However, on this occasion, he is entirely correct. There is no way Quansah should have been at Wembley unless Southgate planned to play him.
Obviously, you can’t plan for injuries and such, and if someone had been forced off, Jarell would have thanked the manager for keeping him on.
But, after requesting the child to stay, it would have been fair for Southgate to put him on for a few minutes at the end anyhow.
It is true that international caps should be earned rather than handed away. But Quansah got there through merit and hard effort. He should’ve got his moment.
Jarell will most certainly return, but that is not a given. He has the right to be disappointed.
