Aston Villa: ‘Brilliant’ Ezri Konsa should receive England call-up today after what he’s done
Ezri Konsa has a chance of being included in the England squad for the next set of internationals following his form for Aston Villa this season, according to Dan Bardell.
Gareth Southgate is set to name his squad on Thursday (14 March) for the Three Lions’ upcoming games against Brazil and Belgium later this month.
The 26-year-old was included in the team for the last set of fixtures, but he didn’t manage to make his debut in the 2-0 victory over Malta or the 1-1 draw with North Macedonia back in November.
Bardell believes it was “poor” from Southgate to not play Konsa in either fixture after he has been “brilliant” in the Premier League over the past 12 months, but even if the centre-back does get in the squad again this month, he doesn’t expect him to go to the European Championships this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I hope he makes it. Guehi obviously having surgery has opened up a spot.
“I think at the moment, Maguire, Stones and Colwill are absolutely certain to be on the plane. I think when it goes down to a 23-man squad, which it now has done, you have to have players who can operate in multiple positions.
“I’m not sure Konsa will be in the squad. When you look back across the past 12 months, there haven’t been many centre-backs – if any – that have been better than Konsa. I also think the way he plays the game completely suits international football.
“But it was quite telling in the last international break when Konsa was in the squad, he was the only outfield player who wasn’t given any minutes, which I didn’t really understand and thought that was poor from Gareth Southgate.
“I think Tomori is probably ahead of him at the moment. He’s got a chance of being in this squad but, unfortunately, I just think Southgate will not pick him for the Euros unless there are a load of injuries.
“But I really do think he should be part of the conversation because he’s been brilliant over the last 12 months.”
Will Ezri Konsa receive England call-up after Aston Villa form?
It’s hard to predict exactly what Southgate will do as he prepares to name his England squad for the upcoming international fixtures.
As Bardell points out, Konsa has been in great form for Villa over the past year, but there is a chance his recent injury problems could go against him.
If he doesn’t manage to make the team this time around, then it’s incredibly unlikely that he will be included in the squad for the European Championships in Germany this summer.
In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has mooted a high-profile exit after a £110million+ development has emerged.
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