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‘If he sells them’: Merson thinks two Villa defenders ‘start’ for Liverpool and Arteta

Amir Mir

Sun 1 August 2021 6:15, UK

Paul Merson told that Aston Villa duo Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa ‘start’ for Liverpool and Arsenal. 

The outspoken TV pundit named Villa manager Dean Smith in the ‘top five managers in the Premier League right now’ before making his claim about the defensive duo being able to play for Liverpool and Arsenal.

It’s quite the statement to suggest that Konsa or Mings could start for Liverpool given what they have achieved over the years and the stellar names they have at the back.

Less so for Arsenal, because they have struggled for a number of years now and they could probably do with either English duo’s services at the back.

After all, they did help Villa secure an impressive 15 clean sheets last season, with former Gunners’ hero, Emiliano Martinez, in between the sticks.

Nonetheless, this is what Merson had to say about Smith as a manager and their centre-back duo. 

“You always want managers to improve the players they work with, and Dean Smith has worked wonders with his group at Aston Villa,” said Merson

“Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, John McGinn, and Jack Grealish have flourished under Smith’s tutelage and if he sells them now, Aston Villa could make a lot of money in the transfer market.

“Dean Smith started off with very little at Aston Villa, but he brought players into the club and improved them.

“Both Mings and Konsa could start for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool but have chosen to place their faith in Dean Smith’s Aston Villa project. That is one of the best indicators of Dean Smith’s brilliance as a Premier League manager.”

Prior to the Reds snapping up Ibrahima Konate’s talents this summer, Konsa was someone who the Merseyside giants were monitoring. 

Mings may have been the one donning the England colours at Euro 2020, but for over 12 months now, he has been outperformed by his defensive partner in B6.

Konsa’s positional play, calmness when under pressure, body shape, ability to read danger and get teammates out of trouble are some of his many strengths.

And it won’t be too long before the former Brentford man is joining Mings and Jack Grealish at St George’s Park.