“I’m going to be honest” - England star Eberechi Eze names Ezri Konsa and Liverpool target as 'hardest' defenders he has faced
Eberechi Eze has named England teammate Ezri Konsa and Liverpool target Marc Guehi as the toughest defenders he has faced. Crystal Palace's Eze has played a key role for Gareth Southgate's side at Euro 2024, often coming off the bench.
Speaking to England's Diary Room, Eze named Konsa and Guehi as the toughest defenders he has faced. Aston Villa's Konsa came into the first XI for England's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, as Guehi was suspended.
Eze knows Guehi very well, as they are teammates at the club level for Palace. The attacking midfielder has hailed his two international teammates for their qualities (via HITC):
"I'm going to be honest. I'm going to say Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. Strong, fast, still rippable, but they are the harsest ones."
Guehi played the full game in all of England's Euro 2024 games before the quarter-final. He missed the last-eight clash due to suspension. As per HITC, Liverpool are interested in the Euro 2024 star, but Palace want at least £60 million for the central defender.
Eze has attracted the interest of top clubs after a bright spark of form last season. The 26-year-old has come on as a substitute in three of the Three Lions' five games at Euro 2024, where they take on the Netherlands in the semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10).
Former England defender Mathew Upson praises Ezri Konsa and Liverpool target Marc Guehi
Ezri Konsa came in for Marc Guehi for the Switzerland clash and impressed in the high-voltage quarter-final game as the Three Lions won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Liverpool target Marc Guehi, meanwhile, has also been excellent for the Three Lions at the continental competition.
Former England defender Matthew Upson has praised the duo for their role as ball-playing centre-backs. Upson praised Konsa's performance against the Swiss (via Yahoo Sports):
"They are realtively new into the scene, and they have been a major plus point of this tournament in a position that probably everyone looked at and throught the options weren't too great."
Guehi, though, is expected to be back in the starting XI against the Netherlands despite Konsa's impressive performance in the last game. The Crystal Palace star could start alongside the reliable John Stones.
The Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Oranje is at the Westfalenstadion, with the Three Lions looking to reach consecutive European Championship finals for the first time.