Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones have been named in the provisional England squad for the upcoming Euros, marking a sensational leap for both players. The announcement, expected to be made by Gareth Southgate on Tuesday at 2pm, has already caused quite a stir due to the inclusion of these two young talents.
Quansah and Jones have impressed throughout Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool, catching the attention of both fans and experts alike. The Athletic’s David Ornstein first reported Jones’ inclusion in the squad, while the Times’ Paul Joyce revealed Quansah’s step up from the U21s. This is a significant achievement for both players and a testament to their hard work and dedication.
However, the provisional squad also comes with some surprises. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s captain, has been left out entirely. This decision may be attributed to his reputation taking a hit after his questionable move to Saudi side Al-Ettifaq last summer. It’s a disappointing turn of events for Henderson, but it opens up opportunities for other players to shine on the international stage.
Among the other notable call-ups are Crystal Palace quartet Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Dean Henderson, as well as Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. However, there are omissions as well. Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott have not been selected for the 30-man provisional squad.
The squad will eventually be trimmed down to 26 players for the tournament itself. England will have warm-up friendlies against Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 3 and Iceland on June 7 before facing tough competition in Group C of the Euros, taking on Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in Germany.
One player who is certain to be included in the final squad is Trent Alexander-Arnold. The talented right-back has been a consistent performer for Liverpool and is a key part of Southgate’s plans. The fate of Joe Gomez, who was selected for the March break, remains uncertain.
It’s worth noting that Quansah’s rise over the past year has been remarkable. The 21-year-old made his Liverpool debut in August and went on to play 33 times this season. He established himself as the first-choice center-back alongside Virgil van Dijk and even contributed three goals and three assists in the process. Quansah’s development has been impressive, considering he only made his debut for England U21s in October, moving up from the U20s.
As for Jones, he found himself in limbo after becoming ineligible for the U21s. However, his performances for Liverpool, featuring in 36 games, caught the attention of Southgate and earned him a place in the provisional squad.
Overall, the England provisional squad for the Euros presents a mix of familiar faces and exciting new talents. It will be interesting to see how Southgate manages the final selection and how these players perform on the international stage.