Everton confirmed the signing of Ben Godfrey from Norwich City on a five-year deal. He joined for around £24.75m on deadline day and adds depth in a key area.
With Lewis Gibson being loaned out to Reading while Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite are sidelined with injury, Godfrey’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time.
The 22-year-old is highly-rated and will battle Michael Keane and Yerry Mina for a starting place this season.
How will we line up with Godfrey?
Keane and Mina have partnered on another at centre-back in 2020/21 and have played their part in Everton having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League (4 games, 5 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet), so Godfrey wouldn’t walk into the team.
The Englishman has impressed in his four years at Norwich and looks to have a bright future on Merseyside, so it won’t be long before he’s knocking on the door of the starting eleven. Carlo Ancelotti has opted for a four-man defence this season, so Godfrey will be our only backup until Holgate and Branthwaite return.
What can fans expect?
The 22-year-old was one of the best centre-backs in the Championship prior to his move. He made 78 appearances in all competitions for the Canaries, scoring five goals with two assists.
Godfrey is dominant in the air (66/108 aerial duels won in 2019/20), composed in possession (87.9% of 1660 passes completed), seldom relinquishes the ball (dispossessed only four times) (unsuccessful touch 13 made once every 203 minutes), provides an effective shield in front of goal (blocked 45 shots/passes/crosses), doesn’t dive in (one foul 15 given away every 176 minutes) and is adept at one-on-one defending (dribbled past 8 once every 331 minutes).
He’s a defender who wins the majority of his headers, is comfortable on the ball, willingly throws his body on the line and is a tough player to beat. It’s a great move from Everton.
Summary
We’ve needed a centre-back for the longest time after failing to replace Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka last summer, so it’s fantastic to bring in a player of Godfrey’s calibre. Here’s hoping he can realise his potential on Merseyside.
In other news, why have Everton let Moise Kean join Paris Saint-Germain?