A former Liverpool defender clashed with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s first pre-season friendly of the summer following a heavy tackle.
The Blues were back in action on Friday evening for the first time since they won the Club World Cup earlier in the summer, taking on Bayern Leverkusen in a friendly match just a week out from the start of the Premier League season.
It was a comfortable victory for Enzo Maresca’s side, who won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Estevao and Joao Pedro. They will also face Milan on Sunday.
But it didn’t come without concern. There were a few familiar faces in the Leverkusen ranks in the game, including former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and ex-Southampton and Burnley man Nathan Tella.
Perhaps the most recognisable to Premier League fans, however, was former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, who departed Anfield to join the German outfit for £35million this summer.
And he certainly made himself known to Palmer during the game went he went in heavy on his England team-mate, causing an injury concern and a mini-scuffle.
A former Liverpool star clashed with Cole Palmer after a heavy tackle during Chelsea’s friendly on Friday evening
Jarell Quansah went in heavy on the midfielder as the Blues won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge
Palmer screamed in pain before getting up to confront the former Liverpool defender
Quansah, who left the Reds for £35million in the summer, has been involved in England squads alongside Palmer recently
Palmer had just picked up the ball in midfield, with defender Malo Gusto playing him a pass, but took a heavy touch and a pressing Quansah sensed an opportunity to win the ball.
Palmer, though, recovered, and got to the ball first, passing it on to try and keep play ticking over. Quansah had already committed, however.
The defender slid in, and Palmer immediately raised his left foot as he screamed out in pain, falling to the floor and almost onto Quansah as the referee blew their whistle.
As the two players got back to their feet, Quansah tried to continue with play, but Palmer had obviously taken issue to the incident, and approached Quansah from behind and grabbed his back.
The former Liverpool man took exception, pushing Palmer as his opponent clung onto his shirt.
The likes of Moises Caicedo then ran into break up the situation, with Quansah, who has been involved in England squads under both Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate recently, booked over the incident.
It’s now just a matter of days until Chelsea play their first game of the season, with Enzo Maresca’s men set to take on Crystal Palace in their season opener next Sunday.
It remains to be seen how prepared they will be after only returning for pre-season training last week, but they had no issues dispatching the Bundesliga runners-up in the capital on Friday.
