Ezri Konsa Ready to Fill Left-Back Role for England

Ezri Konsa revealed that fans pelted the families and friends of England players with beer cups “from all angles” after their goalless draw with Slovenia. They threw a couple of plastic cups towards manager Gareth Southgate as he applauded them following the Euro 2024 Group C stalemate on Tuesday. Konsa, from Aston Villa, noted that more cups hit the stands at full-time, affecting the section where players’ friends and families sat.

Konsa acknowledged that players knew fans had targeted Southgate, but they “have not spoken about it as players” or raised the issue with him. Reports indicate that the perpetrators neither recognized nor deliberately targeted the players’ partners and friends.

“We were aware of it because I think some of our family members got hit with a few drinks,” Konsa said. “We check on them. There’s kids in the stands with family, so we always have to check on them, reassure them, and ask if they’re all right.”

England topped Group C and will face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday. When asked about the fans’ reaction, Konsa remarked, “In football, stuff like that happens.”

He added, “My brother was hit, a few others. I spoke to him after, and he said he was fine. It was to the right [of the stadium], not directly behind the goal, but it came from all angles. We try not to think about it too much, so we move on.”

Ezri Konsa Ready to Play Left-Back

Although Konsa has yet to make an appearance in the tournament, the 26-year-old expressed his readiness to address England’s left-back issue in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday if needed. Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier has been filling in at left-back while Manchester United’s Luke Shaw works to regain full fitness.

“At Charlton, I played there a couple of times – left-back, right-back, center-back, all across the back four,” Konsa said. “I’m more than happy to do it. Left-back is a bit different, but wherever the gaffer wants to put me, I’ll try my best and give it my all.”

Konsa emphasized the importance of versatility in modern football. “With Manchester City, you see the center-halves play left-back, right-back,” he explained. “It’s happening more and more often. For me, it’s something I’ve done my whole career, and I’m happy to do it.”