Nick Ware

Thu 4 February 2021 11:32, UK

Ben Godfrey turned in another colossal display in the Everton backline v Leeds United on Wednesday as he once again showed his versatility.

After moving to Merseyside from relegated Norwich City in the summer the 23-year-old has been a pillar of consistency for the Blues despite being forced to play in a number of different positions.

It is at left back where he has featured more prominently after an injury to Lucas Digne forced Carlo Ancelotti to reshuffle his pack but his display at centre back against Leeds showed where his future really lies.

Ancelotti made the surprising decision to drop Michael Keane from the starting XI after Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Newcastle United.

Casualties were always expected after such a humiliation but dispensing with Keane was not something that immediately sprang to mind but the Italian is nothing but strong and methodical in his approach to games so who were we to question his decision.

It proved to be an absolute masterstroke as his replacement really came to the fore.

Prior to the Newcastle game Godfrey had started every Blues match since a 3-1 loss to Manchester United on November 7.

That meant he embarked on a remarkable 13-game run without rest and he completed at least 90 minutes in all but one of those (he was substituted after 75 minutes v Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup) while he also went the distance against Rotherham United in the previous round, completing 120 minutes as the game went to extra-time.

In those 13 games Everton lost just three times as they enjoyed an impressive run of form that saw them head into Saturday’s game unbeaten in their last four before that was drawn to a sharp end.

Godfrey returned v Leeds and put in a great performance to put doubt on Keane’s return to the starting XI.

At Goodison News we ran the rule over his impressive statistics following the Blues’ 2-1 victory at Elland Road…

According to stats by Wyscout, Godfrey won 11 of his 17 duels at a success rate of 65%, his highest score of the Premier League season (his average is 56.5%), while he also won 75% (three out of four) of his aerial duels.

Five defensive duels won out of seven attempts gave him a 71% success rate, an improvement on his 62.1% average.

His 11 recoveries was a total he has bettered only twice before this season and he also made eight interceptions (more than anyone else).

Everton’s makeshift man further underlined his defensive credentials by making a game-high 10 clearances as he repelled attack after attack with Leeds dominating the ball as evidenced by their 63% possession figure.

Godfrey is not just a one-dimensional defensive demon, as has been proved before during his stints at full back.

Against Leeds he recorded an 86% pass completion and made six passes to the final third, a total he has not beaten this season.

Picking up an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal was also a feather in his cap and ensured it was his first of his Premier League career.

With his presence in the box you can be sure it will not be his last.

Godfrey has now made 15 starts for the Blues this season, one of them at right back with the other 14 equally distributed between left back and centre defence (seven each), per Whoscored.

At his tender age there is no need to tie him down to a particular position and pigeon-hole him, particularly given the lack of senior cover for Digne on the left which will mean he could be called upon further if the French international suffers a relapse of the injury that saw him miss a significant chunk of the season.

However, Godfrey’s performance at the heart of the Everton backline against Leeds proved he is willing and capable of being a first-choice centre back for the Blues.

Keane should be worried with Godfrey showing he is more than a match for anyone in this team.

In other Everton news, Gabby Agbonlahor gives verdict on DCL’s European Championship hopes this summer.