Why Everton signing Ben Godfrey would a good long-term investment
According to The Athletic (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton have been linked with a move for Norwich City star Ben Godfrey as Carlo Ancelotti looks to bring in a new centre-back before the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old, who is rated at £30million by the Canaries, has also attracted interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham, but Jose Mourinho’s side have turned their attention to Inter Milan stalwart Milan Skriniar. (The Athletic h/t Liverpool Echo)
Profile
Ben Godfrey spent time at York City and Middlesbrough in the youth career before enjoying his senior breakthrough in football with the former in League Two back during the 2015-16 season. He only made a handful of appearances in the fourth-tier before being snapped up as an exciting prospect by Norwich City in January 2016.
The 22-year-old initially impressed for the Canaries at the U-23 level before making his first-team debut in the 2016-17 season. Godfrey was subsequently loaned out to Shrewsbury Town, where he made 40 appearances in League One during the 2017-18 season, before establishing himself as a regular starter at Carrow Road.
The England U-21 international was instrumental as Norwich won the Championship title and caught the eye for Daniel Farke’s side in the Premier League last term, despite the Canaries finishing bottom of the table.
Godfrey would improve Everton’s defensive depth
Everton currently have Yerry Mina and Michael Keane as their first-choice central defensive pairing, with Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite also competing for places in the ranks. However, Ancelotti has been left short of senior cover at the heart of the defence following injuries to Holgate and teenager Branthwaite.
Both players are expected to be back in action within two months but it would still be a good idea for the Toffees to bring in a new centre-back before the summer deadline, given the hectic schedule of the PL and the challenge of competing on multiple fronts.
Everton should ideally look to sign a promising young defender who would serve them well not only for the ongoing campaign but for several years moving forward as well. To put things into perspective, Ben Godfrey perfectly fits the bill in that regard as one of the best up and coming centre-backs in English football.
The 22-year-old more than held his own as a part of a Norwich backline that registered the worst defensive record in the top-flight last season. It was only his breakthrough campaign in the Premier League but Godfrey seemed unfazed by the challenge of facing more established attackers at the highest level.
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Verdict
Suffice to say, Everton would land themselves an absolute gem of a centre-back if they manage to get a deal for Ben Godfrey over the line. The 22-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and has the potential to reach great heights in the future, thus making him worth a significant outlay in the market.
