Aston Villa: Ezri Konsa may not make England Euros squad after what Jeff Stelling claimed
Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have claimed Gareth Southgate may not call up Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa for the England squad ahead of the European Championships.
Despite the defender being called up for the squad to face Brazil and Belgium and playing 70 minutes against the former, the pair think those returning from injuries could replace him.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was named as the likely backup centre-back behind Harry Maguire and John Stones after missing out on the current squad through injury.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [26 March, 07:28], Stelling explained: “I don’t think so. He’s had a great season and was unlucky that he was forced to play at right-back when he came on against Brazil, but you can’t take everyone and I just don’t think so.
Ally McCoist replied simply, saying: “No, I agree with you.”
Will Ezri Konsa earn an England call-up for the Euros?
In his 70-minute performance off the bench against Brazil, Konsa coped well but failed to catch the eye. Put out at right-back, where he has played on occasion under Unai Emery, he was tasked with dealing with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Defensively, he looked solid with three interceptions and one block, but he was dribbled past once and committed two fouls. He did, however, draw three fouls and record an 89 per cent pass accuracy in a mixed display. [Sofascore]
In the Premier League this season, Konsa has averaged a 93 per cent passing accuracy, making 1.0 interceptions per game, 1.5 tackles, 4.2 recoveries, 2.2 clearances and drawn 1.7 fouls in very consistent displays for Villa.
Last time out for Villa in the 1-1 draw with West Ham, he managed four clearances and one tackle, recording a 100 per cent duel success rate both on the ground and in the air, while drawing three fouls and finding the target with 97 per cent of his passes.
If Konsa can continue to put in performances of that calibre, he may well tempt Southgate to put him on the plane for the Euros, but with players seemingly higher than him in the pecking order, he can consider himself unlikely if not selected.
In other Aston Villa news, transfer news has emerged as a contract offer is now on the table.
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