ZHAKE
BBC pundits Glen Murray and Nedum Onuoha were both in agreement when they reflected on England’s comfortable win over Albania on Friday night – Ezri Konsa rarely gets the credit he deserves.
The Aston Villa centre half turned in another sterling performance at the heart of England’s defence at Wembley in the 2-0 win, alongside debutants Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly in Thomas Tuchel’s first ever starting XI.
Konsa has often been a crucial cog for Villa and Unai Emery, and indeed for the Spaniard’s predecessors, since his move from Brentford in 2019; in that time he has played Champions League football and earned himself international recognition.
Despite that, he isn’t always the first name mentioned when it comes to dishing out credit, and while Konsa has proven to be something of an unsung hero over a sustained period of time for Villa and England, both former players Murray and Onuoha were keen to note his contribution.
“We have shone a light on Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn, and rightly so, but I must say that I thought Ezri Konsa was exceptional in that back four,” Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Onuoha agreed: “For me, Konsa is one of the best centre backs in the Premier League, but he doesn’t get mentioned. He’s so consistent in terms of how he defends, what he is like on the ball, putting his body on the line, reading the game, I think he’s brilliant.”
Konsa has proven to be extremely reliable for Villa, especially when there has been defensive upheaval; the likes of Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings have all suffered serious injuries in recent years and Konsa has continued to turn in performances despite the inconsistencies in his centre half partner from game to game.
Despite that, he isn’t always the first name mentioned when it comes to dishing out credit, and while Konsa has proven to be something of an unsung hero over a sustained period of time for Villa and England, both former players Murray and Onuoha were keen to note his contribution.
ZHAKE
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Qudus Salihu
