England are preparing for their Euro 2024 semi-final clash with the Netherlands on Wednesday evening however, Gareth Southgate could be about to make a big mistake.
After a series of underwhelming performances, England are in the semi-final of Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s side have failed to impress throughout the tournament, yet find themselves just one game away from the final in Berlin.
Two Aston Villa players will be on show for the Three Lions during Wednesday night’s clash, as Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins hope to claim more game time.
Gareth Southgate could be about to make the wrong call on Ezri Konsa ahead of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final
In the quarter-final, Southgate handed Konsa his first start of the tournament as the Villa defender filled the void left by Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace star was suspended for the decisive fixture against Switzerland, and will now return to the fold ahead of Wednesday night’s clash.
Unfortunately, it looks as though Konsa will drop back out of the XI to welcome the centre-back into the side, as per the understanding of The Telegraph.
Though the Villa ace didn’t put a foot wrong in England’s tussle with Switzerland, Guehi’s quality throughout the tournament is impossible to ignore although, Southgate could be about to make a mistake.
Konsa could be better suited to the Netherlands challenge than Marc Guehi
Guehi has shown his exemplary form at Palace over the years and has shone in the Euros so far at the back.
That being said, Konsa’s skill set is sometimes overlooked, with Unai Emery’s star able to cover all areas across the defence.
At Villa last term, the England international featured at right-back, showcasing his defensive strength on the flank, a skill transferable to playing in a back three.
As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranked in the top 3% of Premier League defenders for his stellar average of dribblers tackled per 90 (85.2%), excelling in such areas of 1v1 defending.
Guehi is similarly as strong when required however, given where the Netherlands’ threat stems from, Konsa could be the more suitable option.
- READ MORE: Two key stats show why Ezri Konsa now can’t be replaced by Marc Guehi for England’s semi-final
At Palace last term, the centre-back tackled 58.3% of the dribblers he faced in comparison, telling of where Konsa could assist Southgate’s plans of snubbing out the Dutch attack.
Ronald Koeman’s side have scored nine goals in the competition, four more than England, with four of those scored being sourced by Cody Gakpo, who is in searing form on the left side of attack.
Given Konsa’s attention to detail in 1v1 situations, it could be smart for Southgate to consider starting the Villa ace ahead of Guehi however, it seems as though his mind has been made up.
Hopefully, the manager’s decision provides a positive outcome for the Villa duo representing England, with the Three Lions being just one game away from another European final.
