‘I’m just proud’ – Farke delighted with Godfrey’s development at Everton
Norwich manager Daniel Farke is proud of Ben Godfrey’s progress since the defender signed for Everton.
The 23-year old joined the Blues in the summer transfer window and has taken to life at Goodison Park like a duck to water, playing 17 times in the Premier League for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Godfrey’s first taste of Premier League football was with the Canaries last year, where he was a regular fixture in Farke’s line-up, playing 30 times in the league.
Farke recently spoke about former Norwich players Godfrey and James Maddison (via Eastern Daily Press), expressing his delight at their respective successes. He said: “I’m delighted for them because they are brilliant lads, fantastic characters.
“James Maddison, when I came here, it was a discussion that he had been out on loan before to Aberdeen and should we loan him out because the Championship is a bit too soon for him. We got the feeling, no, we want to improve him and want to bring him forward. The same with Ben Godfrey.
“When I came in we had already sent him out on loan to Shrewsbury and he was a midfield player. We got the feeling that we would make a centre-back or full-back out of him and right now it is in this role that he is playing and shining a lot.
“But I’m not proud of my work, I’m just proud of them because you can bring a young player to the door and try to work with him, to develop him and to improve him but they have to take the step through the door.
Paid a pittance for a Rolls-Royce
Godfrey has arguably been Everton’s signing of the season, not just for his ability on the pitch but also for his versatility, and that’s saying something.
Ben has impressed in whatever position that Carlo has decided to field him in, and with his tough-tackling attitude and never say die work rate, we couldn’t have hoped for a better start for him as an Everton player.
In the long run, it remains unclear where exactly Godfrey fits in, and who will ultimately have to make way when he does become undroppable. However his talent is evident for all to see, and Everton are gleefully reaping the reward.
Norwich do produce some exciting prospects, Maddison is a fine example of that, but Godfrey shouldn’t go under the radar just because he doesn’t grab goals and assists on a regular basis.
We love what the defender brings to the table, and most of all we love the way in which he does it.