Thomas Tuchel provides Jarell Quansah injury update as England right-back crisis deepens
Jarell Quansah is in pain with the ankle injury that forced him to come off in the win over Panama as Thomas Tuchel admitted he is concerned his right-back crisis is worsening.
Both Quansah and Reece James are very doubtful for England’s last-32 tie in Atlanta on 1 July while Tuchel has already lost one right-back for the tournament, with Tino Livramento ruled out.
Quansah, usually a centre-back, played the first hour of the 2-0 victory over Panama and Tuchel said it was an injury the former Liverpool player has sustained before, while allaying fears he will be out for the World Cup.
“He has suffered a classic ankle twist and he is in pain,” he reported. “He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.”
Tuchel admitted it is getting harder for him to find an answer at right-back, where Djed Spence came on for Quansah, as more and more players are hurt.
“Of course we have another injury in the position,” he said. “It will be a tight race for Reece James and a very tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”
Tuchel praised his goalscorers Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who made the difference in the space of seven minutes.
“Huge impact, especially of course in the second half, that is what we need, what we want,” he said. “That is why we picked them. They make us dangerous.”
Kane’s goal was his 11th in World Cups, breaking Gary Lineker’s England record and while Tuchel was not aware of it, he was delighted.
“Everyone is very happy for Harry because he is a fantastic teammate and that makes him very special, he is loved by everyone and respected by everyone,” he said. “I didn’t know until the interviews. It is fantastic he has the chance to break the record in World Cups. Harry is in an amazing state of mind. He is hungry to go all the way in this World Cup. He is not satisfied which shows the hunger and determination.”
