Konsa on England radar with Liverpool and Tottenham among those also keeping tabs Form and fitness permitting, England head into the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and this summer’s European Championship with an unusual abundance of options in central defence.
Manager Gareth Southgate has most recently used Harry Maguire, Eric Dier, Kyle Walker, Tyrone Mings, Michael Keane and Conor Coady. The resurgence of John Stones could lead to a recall and Rob Holding and Ben White have also enjoyed impressive seasons.
But someone being talked about with growing admiration among Premier League players and staff as a contender for international recognition is Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.
The 23-year-old has been something of an unsung hero in his team’s rise to eighth place, helping them register nine clean sheets in his 20 appearances so far this campaign.
As a partner to Mings at one of Southgate’s former clubs, Konsa will be well known to the England boss and is under consideration. Another factor in his favour is his journey through the FA’s youth system, having formed part of England’s 2017 Under-20 World Cup-winning squad and also won seven Under-21s caps.
The FA will be aware that Konsa still qualifies to represent DR Congo and Angola at senior level via his father and mother respectively.
The Athletic has learned he would also be eligible to turn out for Portugal and the European champions are following him closely.
Konsa joined Villa from Brentford in 2019 for £12 million. They will hope to extend a contract that is scheduled to expire in 2023, especially with the player believed to be one of the options Liverpool and Tottenham are studying as they seek to bolster their defences in the next transfer window.
He was on Spurs’ radar when Toby Alderweireld’s £25 million release clause became active in the summer of 2019, only for the Belgium international to stay in north London.
Having said that, I do believe he's a proud card carrying Sephora member.
