GERRARD’S JOB
Villa boss on mission to talk Konsa into playing England waiting game
STEVEN GERRARD has urged Ezri Konsa to play the waiting game if he is serious about a role with England.
The Aston Villa boss says he will not be pushing his highlyrated centre-half into the arms of Portugal at the Three Lions’ expense as the 24-year-old weighs up his international options.
Konsa has already played for England at Under-21 level but with the World Cup later this year, the defender could throw in his lot with the Portuguese.
But Gerrard (right) says that he wants to support Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, and has urged his player not to commit too soon. Konsa is the second member of Villa’s squad to face the thorny issue – full-back Matty Cash opted to play for Poland recently over Southgate’s side.
However, Gerrard said: “I’m English, I’m passionate about the national team. I want to provide as much support to Gareth as I can.
“At the same time, every player is man enough and needs to make decisions for their own careers.
“Has Gareth spoken to Ezri, watched him and assured him there might be a chance if they play well enough, consistently, that there’s an opportunity down the line? It boils down to a lot of things that may or may not be happening in the background.
“But I certainly won’t be pushing anyone away from England, that’s for sure.
“If anything, I’ll be doing everything I can to keep them to make us as strong as we can be. Only Ezri knows where he’s at.
“The important thing is that he remains consistent for Villa and everything will take care of itself. The good thing is that he has options.
“If he has a conversation with Gareth, I’m sure he will be told that there are eyes on him. He’s already been in the system. If there’s an area of the England team where there might be an opportunity, then centre-half would be one of those areas.
“So, if I were in Ezri’s shoes, I wouldn’t be doing anything hasty.
“But, at the same time, I’m sure it would be painful to miss out on a World Cup squad with how he has been playing.
“So you have to think about and respect his feelings. He’ll be getting pressure from family members as well.
“I’ve never been in that situation. But if he ever wanted that advice, I’d be there for Ezri to give him that support.”
Konsa will make a first appearance in west London this
LIKELY TEAMS
BRENTFORD:
afternoon since leaving Brentford in a £12million deal after Villa were promoted two-and-a-half years ago.
He is one part of a duo – along with striker Ollie Watkins – who was cherry-picked out of the Bees by former boss Dean Smith.
Gerrard is delighted to have inherited the pair and has hinted that both will be integral to his plans going forward.
He added: “Brentford did a fantastic job with both Ollie and Ezri.
“They’ve moved on in their careers since then but they decided a different challenge was the best way forward.
“Neither player has surprised me because I’ve watched a lot of them both. With Ezri, I remember doing my Pro Licence over in the south of France and he was playing for the England Under-21 side, so I watched him there and I was also aware of him at Charlton. In my early days at Rangers, we looked at him as a possible loanee.
“Both have huge potential. I’m lucky to have both at my disposal. For me, they are both international class.
“I’ve already said that about Ollie but I feel the same way about Ezri. He’s been fantastic.
“We need to keep them both fit. If Aston Villa want to continue to progress, we will be looking to improve and develop them as much as we can.”