Speaking on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, Michael Calvin discussed Everton’s signing of Norwich City defender, Ben Godfrey.
Following his move to Norwich from York City in what was a £2.66 million deal back in 2016, Godfrey went on to feature 78 times for the Canaries, chipping in with five goals and providing two assists along the way.
Last season, the £22.5 million-rated 22-year-old featured 30 times for Daniel Farke’s side in the Premier League, averaging 0.7 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 4.9 clearances per game, as well as averaging 55.3 passes per match, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 6.45.
However, although City finished rock-bottom of the Premier League table, shipping a total of 75 goals, the England U21 international obviously convinced Everton that he was good enough to play in the top flight, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side decided to spend £24.75 million on bringing the player to Goodison Park.
Godfrey’s move to the Toffees was one subject of conversation on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, in which Calvin appeared to be excited about the potential of the centre-back.
He said: “If you’re looking at [the Everton] defence, you’ve got Ben Godfrey [who] has come in. I was quite impressed with him at Norwich and, I think, given time and a bit of training, I think he’ll be a very, very good Premier League player.”
Do you think Godfrey will be a regular starter for Everton this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Calvin’s comments, it would indeed appear that the journalist is of the belief that the centre-back is a fine addition to the Everton defence, and, despite the fact that Godfrey was at the heart of a Norwich backline that conceded a vast number of goals last term, he feels that the 22-year-old could go on to be a very good Premier League player.
Whether Godfrey will make his debut for the club in their fixture against Premier League champions and Merseyside rivals Liverpool this weekend, remains to be seen, but, if Godfrey does get the nod to start from Ancelotti, it is hard to imagine the defender facing a sterner test than Jurgen Klopp’s side.