Ezri Konsa could be making the switch to Arsenal this summer, and he has been discussing the possibility of Declan Rice playing in a new role.
Arsenal are looking at new centre-back options and the Aston Villa star is one of the players who has entered their radar.
🤔 How would you react to Mikel Arteta using Declan Rice at right-back for Arsenal?
The Arsenal midfielder impressed there vs DR Congo!
There are some slight concerns about what this means for William Saliba’s injury, with the Arsenal defender struggling with a back issue.
Following England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo, Konsa has been hailing Rice’s versatility and suggested he is more than good enough to feature in a new defensive role.
Ezri Konsa hails Declan Rice’s performance at right-back vs DR Congo
Ezri Konsa has just hailed Declan Rice’s performance at right-back against DR Congo during England’s 2-1 win on Tuesday.
Rice looked really effective at right-back during the World Cup match, and helped transform the Three Lions’ fortunes.
England had been struggling to break down the African nation until then, with Rice offering a new threat from out wide.
The Aston Villa defender revealed that he also felt more supported in defence after Rice was switched into the defensive role.
Speaking on Lions’ Den about Rice being shifted to right-back versus DR Congo, Konsa said: “No, it felt secure, it felt good, I believed in him.
“Like you say, he’s played there before; everyone knows his qualities and what he’s about. I had no worries. I knew I didn’t have to look over my shoulder.”
After the win, Thomas Tuchel revealed that it was Anthony Barry’s call to switch him to right-back to get more threat from out wide.
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Rice provided Bukayo Saka with more support from the right, along with helping to make England look more secure in defence.
It’s perhaps a switch Mikel Arteta should have considered for the Champions League with the Gunners having been without Jurrien Timber and Ben White.
With Konsa now a target for Arsenal, it could be a combination that the Gunners use more often in different circumstances for next season.
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