The Premier League stars will clash in England v Norway.
Morgan Rogers has called Ezri Konsa “one of the best centre-backs in football” and has backed his Aston Villa team-mate to keep Erling Haaland quiet in England’s World Cup quarter-final with Norway.
Ezri Konsaplaceholder image
Ezri Konsa | PA
No player has played more minutes under Thomas Tuchel than Konsa, who has opened mainly at centre-back but also in both full-back positions.
He put in a warrior-like performance to help the 10 men of England triumph in the last-16 tie with co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday and it comes on the back of several years of high-class performances for Aston Villa.
Rogers, who leans on his Villa team-mate for support, says that Konsa is under-rated and one of the best defenders on show.
Asked whether Konsa gets enough credit, Rogers replied: “No, nowhere near.
“I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest, I think at this World Cup.
“I think the ability that he’s got, he can do everything as a centre-back, never gets beaten in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball.
“Honestly, I don’t know a flaw in his game, and I think that’s helped Villa that probably a bigger club has not taken him in the last few years.
“I think that’s helped us, because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game, really.
“It’s nice that he gets the recognition and he can compete on the world stage, and everyone can see how good he actually is.
“ I think he does go under the radar massively and in these conversations of the best centre-backs, he is right up there.”
Konsa’s defensive capabilities will be tested more than ever when he comes up against Haaland in Saturday’s quarter-final.
The Manchester City talisman has spearheaded Norway’s first ever run to the last eight of the World Cup, with seven goals.
But Konsa has a good recent record against Haaland, as Villa have won four of the last six meetings against Manchester City without allowing the striker to score.
“We’ve done well in those games against City, and we’ve won, but every game’s a different game,” Rogers added.
“He can just turn it on with a flick of a switch.
“I think we’ve just got to be so focused, so aware of the runs he makes and where he is in the box, especially in how deadly he can be.
“Ez (Konsa) is obviously a great defender to have on your side to come up against him, but I think it takes a whole team effort to stop someone like that and stop their supply line.”
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