Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa looks set to start the biggest game of his career in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Aston Villa‘s players have had mixed fortunes at the Euros so far, with John McGinn’s Scotland crashing out in the group stage and Youri Tielemans’ Belgium failing to impress before losing to France in the round of 16.
Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa are both part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, but neither have played a significant part in the tournament so far.
Watkins came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Denmark in the second group game but has not featured since; Ivan Toney the striker preferred with England chasing a late goal in the last round against Slovakia.
It was in that round of 16 clash that Konsa made his first appearance of the tournament, coming on for the second-half of extra-time to help England see out their 2-1 win, but the Villa man is set for a bigger role on Saturday.
Ezri Konsa expected to start for England against Switzerland
England have failed to really get going in the Euros so far, needing a piece of Jude Bellingham magic in the 95th minute against Slovakia to set up extra-time in which Harry Kane scored the winning goal.
One of few players who has impressed so far for the Three Lions is Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi; the defender chosen to partner John Stones ahead of Konsa so far.
However, after being left short by a Kieran Trippier pass early against Slovakia, Guehi had little choice but to bring down an opposition forward and receive a yellow card for his intervention.
That was Guehi’s second booking of the tournament, meaning he will now be suspended for the Switzerland clash.
This opens the door for Konsa – who was impressive in his cameo against Slovakia – to make his first start in the competition in the quarter-final.
Konsa weakness could be exposed against Switzerland
With Trippier a fitness doubt ahead of the win over Slovakia and Luke Shaw still not deemed fit enough to feature Southgate was trialling Konsa at left-back in training.
This was a real show in faith from the England boss given Liverpool’s Joe Gomez has played 15 games for Liverpool in the same position in the past year, but highlights how highly Konsa is regarded.
With Tripper going off injured in the last game, Bukayo Saka went to left-back before Konsa was brought on as a left-back as England saw out the game.
Guehi has been performing the left centre-back role, with Stones playing on the right of the pairing, but this could be problematic for Konsa.
Much has been made of the right-footed Tripper playing left-back, but this could also be an issue with Konsa at left centre-back.
The Athletic draw attention to this, saying: ‘Comparable to the problems Trippier has endured, Konsa can look awkward on his left foot and tends to move inside with the ball and onto his favoured right’.
Whilst he is defensively solid, Konsa may struggle in possession given he is uncomfortable on his left-foot; a problem Guehi does not have.
This could really harm England’s build-up and the balance of the side could be very skewed towards the right if Trippier is also to continue to fill-in at left-back.
Perhaps a seemingly small issue, knockout football can come down to the finest of margins and Konsa’s weakness on his left side could be a factor that Switzerland look to target.
