Tuchel’s Tough Calls: Lions and Bench Warmers…
Looks like Thomas Tuchel’s new job as England’s manager isn’t all tea and crumpets. His first big play? Benching Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah from his matchday squad. Congrats, Jarell! You were in the top 26 contenders—which is like winning a bronze medal in a two-person race—but alas, you’ve been sidelined for the World Cup qualifier against Albania. Meanwhile, Ramsdale and Gibbs-White are also on a surprise holiday from playing.
With Albania and Latvia visiting England’s Wembley turf, Tuchel gets to play a little matchmaker. He’s got to cut his team to 23, and Quansah’s been given an “all-costs-paid ticket” to the spectator stands. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane look set to take center stage instead, while Quansah joins Dan Burn and other center-backs who’ve found themselves in the stands before the main event.
Quansah’s done some serious bench-sitting this season; who knew it was an art form? Two starts in 29 matches might look like a typo in most CVs, but Quansah’s plugging away, occasionally popping up in cup clashes. Keep your chin up, Jarell! You’re back to pre-season form or perhaps just pre-be-a-football-star form. Onwards and upwards—or at least onto the field someday soon!
