Ezri Konsa always confident he would for play for England after call up - 'I knew my time would come'

Ezri Konsa has said he always believed an England call up would come, after he was named as a late addition to Gareth Southgate’s squad for The Three Lions’ upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

The England manager announced his 25-man squad for their next two games on Thursday last week, but after James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk withdrew with injury, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Konsa were all drafted in.

The 26-year-old, who has been capped seven times for England U21s, could make his debut for the senior side in the coming days, and admitted he was always confident that he would play for the national team.

“I knew I had a lot to work on in my game,” the Aston Villa defender said at a press conference on Tuesday. “Only recently now, the last two seasons, we’ve excelled at Villa and that part of it has helped me become the player I am today.

“I knew my time would come, but it was just a matter of when. I was patient, and I’m proud and me and my family are really happy.”

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have enjoyed much success in the past 12 months, notably qualifying for European football for the first time in 13 years last season.

Konsa played a huge part in their excellent 2022-23 campaign, with the centre-back going on to start in all of their Premier League games this season, helping The Villans maintain their unblemished record at home.

“I’ve always believed in myself, always backed myself,” he added. “I’m really enjoying my football now at the moment and the rest is taking care of itself.”

England currently sit top of Group C and have already secured qualification for next summer’s tournament in Germany.

Konsa admitted he was targeting a place in Southgate’s squad for the upcoming tournament.

He said: “I think that’s every player’s target, to go to major tournaments and play for your country. So that’s definitely on my mind and definitely something I plan on doing.”

The defender was also congratulated by his former coach and ex-England captain John Terry who wrote on Instagram: “Congratulations Ezri Konsa. So happy for you mate, you have been excellent and so consistent over the last three years and fully deserve this. Enjoy it Ez…Just the start.”

Terry, who won five Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, worked as Villa’s assistant manager between 2018 and 2021.

Konsa spoke of his delight at the message and how much the former Chelsea defender had helped him improve as a player.

“It means a lot coming from a legend like John Terry,” he said. “I worked with him for two years and he really helped my game. I used to ask him a lot of questions on how he was able to maintain playing at such a high level, and he gave me a lot of advice and I definitely took that on and it’s helped me become the player I am.

“He was in touch with me, sent me a nice little message. He just said congratulations, that I need to enjoy it and be myself.”

Konsa, who had helped Villa secure a 3-1 win against Fulham on Sunday for their eighth victory of the Premier League season, admitted that his call up had come as a surprise.

He said:“I was driving home from the match on Sunday and me and the missus were talking about having a little break, going away - and then two minutes later I ended up getting the call.

“It was a weird feeling, it didn’t really sink in until I got home. I think my missus was crying a little bit, she was more excited that me. I’d rather be here anyway, so it’s fine.”

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