Ezri Konsa is an elegant, modern-day defender. He is clean in his duels and a precise tackler. Former manager Dean Smith described him as “a Rolls-Royce” and Emery is equally effusive in his praise. He was Villa’s second-most fouled player in the 2022-23 campaign, explained by his inclination to step in front of forwards and intercept.
Gareth Southgate trialling Konsa at left-back in training — as cover for Kieran Trippier, who was nursing a calf injury earlier in the tournament — demonstrates a belief in the 26-year-old’s malleability.
Villa manager Unai Emery believed in Konsa’s ability to deputise at right-back, often ahead of Matty Cash. The decision, dictated by certain stylistic match-ups and physical front lines, was swayed by Konsa’s aptitude when defending in one-against-one situations. Last season, Konsa ranked in the top two per cent among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for the fewest challenges lost against dribblers (0.12 per 90 minutes).
Recovery pace is arguably his greatest and most aesthetically pleasing asset. It is a key component of Emery’s abrasively high offside trap, which condenses space in midfield and enables effective counter-pressing to guard against dangerous transitions from opponents.
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Why Ezri Konsa could be the solution to England’s defensive problems