England defender Ezri Konsa reflects on his EURO 2024 debut against Slovakia and expresses his readiness to replace the suspended Marc Guéhi in the quarter-finals.
In the second half of extra time against Slovakia last Sunday, Gareth Southgate turned to Ezri Konsa with instructions to come on and help secure the win. England had scored twice and changed formation three times, and it was up to Konsa. Making his UEFA EURO debut, to bring stability and guide his team to the quarter-finals.
“I came on at left-back, a position I’ve never played before,” Konsa explains. “The pressure was on. It’s never easy as a defender coming on in a game, but I had to do my job.”
For the 26-year-old, a childhood dream came true as he donned the famous white shirt and entered the pitch, with family watching from the stands.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, growing up watching the EURO and the World Cup,” he says. “I wanted to be involved and play a big part.”
With Marc Guéhi ruled out of Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland. Konsa is expected to replace the Crystal Palace defender in the starting lineup – an opportunity he’s eager to seize.
“I’m ready, no matter what,” Konsa says. “It’s a shame Marc is suspended; he’s been outstanding for us in that back four. But whatever the manager decides – if I play, if I don’t play – I’ll always be ready.”
Konsa’s potential start is a testament to his consistency, having barely missed a game in the Premier League over the last two seasons. It’s also a sign of England’s depth, with Southgate praising the impact of his substitutes, including Konsa, against Slovakia.
“Some of our bigger-name players [weren’t] on the pitch,” Southgate noted. “But [we had] lots of younger, less experienced players fighting for the cause to hold the result. Those sorts of moments really bond a squad and show the importance of the group.”
Come Saturday, Konsa hopes to add another memorable moment to his international tournament experience and help England continue their journey in Germany.
“I’m happy that it’s happened to me,” he says. “I’m enjoying the experience, I’m enjoying every moment of it, and long may it continue.”
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