EZRI DOES IT: Inside the rise of Konsa and why World Cup star can inspire England's next generation

Ezri Konsa took a long and winding road to a World Cup with England.

The Arsenal defender reached the very top in his own time and on a well trodden path. Konsa, 28, is one of England’s most reliable defenders, is one of the first names on the team sheet under Thomas Tuchel and has been outstanding for Arsenal since his £55m summer move to the Emirates.

His former Charlton academy director Steve Avory saw the competitive edge, “big personality” and quality in Konsa when he was a teenager. Avory recalls: “It’s like when he made that tackle against Morgan Rogers when Arsenal played Chelsea. I'm thinking at the time, will he get there? He did. He did, and he does.”

The respect is mutual because Konsa credited Avory as being one of the biggest and best influences of his career when he did an interview in the World Cup.

Those early days had a huge impact on Konsa, just as they have done with other England players.

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From the 27 players named in Tuchel’s original squad, they have all played in an EFL competition, from the Carabao Cup and into League One, Two and the Championship. They have made a combined 1,660 appearances in EFL competitions (853 in Championship, 274 in League One and 95 in League Two) while Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold made their debuts in EFL competitions.

The EFL are rightly lauding their Raised in the EFL campaign to shine a light on how it has worked for some of the players who have reached the very top.

Konsa is a great example as he came through Charlton’s renowned academy - and onto Brentford and Aston Villa - along with Joe Gomez as the Liverpool defender is another England international who came through the EFL.

Tellingly, both Konsa and Gomez have kept strong ties with Charlton which definitely shows their gratitude for their upbringing. Konsa goes back to The Valley to watch close pal Karlan Grant. Gomez’s family have always remained thankful and in regular touch.

Avory said: “In Ezri’s case, when he was 14 or 15 he loved to play midfield because he’s probably got better technical ability. They both have excellent physical qualities. They’re both quick, strong, powerful and both like Rolls Royces.

“They have both got big personalities. Ezri is perhaps more outgoing than Joe. But it really strikes you that their personalities are really strong and they're both lovely guys. They both carry humility with them wherever they go.

“Considering the heights they’ve got to, they always remember the chart and people along the way. You remember them doing interviews, paying respects to people and Ezri did that during the World Cup which was very nice.

“It’s just over two years ago now that they were both with England, they both played against Belgium at Wembley and afterwards the families are there and yet they’re so appreciative.”

What sets Konsa apart in so many ways is his personality. He is such a big character. A leader who has confidence and his mindset resonates through the team. You can see it in the way he carries himself. It was a huge part of why Arsenal signed him in the summer.

Interestingly, Konsa paid a visit to Arsenal’s Hale End academy just days after signing. He knows a youngster in Arsenal's academy but it also shows his genuine interest and speaks volumes about him.

Konsa’s close pal Grant added: “We've been really close friends since we were in the academy together. I joined it at 12, And he was here, and we've been close ever since.

“It's amazing to see what he’s doing now. You know, it's stuff that we spoke about as kids. So for him to actually do it and live it is phenomenal.

“His ability was always there. It was just always about mindset. You know, if he could apply himself, which he has, he's a great professional and he's reaping the rewards.”

Avory is one of the most respected figures in youth development. He is still an advisor for Charlton and is regarded at the club as a legendary figure. The club still champions young players and academy graduates as the backbone of the first team.

It has given Konsa a great start and Avory believes the pathway coupled with working their way up is the reason why the EFL has served as such a brilliant launchpad for England players.

Avory added: “It does give them that grounding. They know they’re not at the elite level but they’re at a good academy, there’s a pathway there and if they see other kids perform at 17,18 or 19 then it self perpetuates in a way.

“For others, like Harry Kane then they might be on loan and they get great experience even if they’ve not come through the academy. I think it’s that grounding as well as recognising what they have to do to get to the top level.”

Raised in the EFL: