(Credit: Imago)

Edward Bazeley

Fri 8 August 2025 22:20, UK

Jarell Quansah was lucky to escape a red card in Bayer Leverkusen’s pre-season defeat to Chelsea.

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The defender joined Erik ten Hag’s men from Liverpool this summer, but could not help the Bundesliga side avoid a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge on Friday, 8 August.

After their loss in West London, Leverkusen are vying to beat fourth-tier side Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the German Cup on Friday, 15 August.

Alongside Estevao, Cole Palmer was a constant source of danger for Chelsea before being replaced by Pedro Neto at half-time.

But the main talking point of Palmer’s night came when he was caught by a late, sliding challenge from Quansah as the attacking midfielder had his back turned to the tackle.

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Chelsea will be relieved that the former Manchester City man escaped injury, especially after the ACL setback suffered by Levi Colwill.

Photo Credit: Imago

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official, and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former referee Hackett said: “It does not matter that this game is billed as a ‘friendly’.

The Referee must apply the law, and on first view, I said to myself, ‘red card’.

“The player has come into Cole Palmer with excessive force and a straight leg.

“This foul challenge was an act of Serious Foul Play, and (Stuart) Attwell should have given himself some thinking time and produced the ultimate sanction of a red card.

“Players must be protected.”

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