Goodison Analysis: Godfrey proved head & shoulders above Keane v Burnley
Since signing for Everton from Norwich in the summer, Ben Godfrey has been a defensive phenomenon for the Toffees.
Carlo Ancelotti has fielded him in every position across the backline, with the versatile defender taking to each spot with enthusiasm and commitment.
He did just that against Burnley on Saturday, though he couldn’t prevent the Clarets from winning the game, with Everton falling to a 2-1 defeat.
Godfrey and Keane lined up in the centre of defence with the former proving to be the more impressive on the day, especially when clearing his lines.
According to stats gathered by WyScout, Keane managed just one clearance in the game while Godfrey racked up five, displaying all manners of acrobatics to limit Burnley’s chances in Everton’s box.
Early on Godfrey proved spoiler, beating his man to head clear a deep cross into the penalty area from Everton’s left.
The England U21 international followed that up by blocking a strike on goal from Burnley’s Josh Brownhill.
The Clarets’ midfielder hit the ball in Godfrey’s direction and he was able to stoop to get his head on the ball, directing it out of play on Everton’s right side.
Godfrey next got involved in his own penalty area, getting rid of the ball with a long-range clearance after Burnley’s attack had broken down.
Shortly after the restart, Godfrey had to be alert to put the ball out of play once again.
Burnley attempted to slip the ball through to Matej Vydra, but Godfrey was quick to get goal side and slide the ball out of play on Everton’s left.
Finally, Godfrey stopped a near-certain goal with a delicate glancing headed clearance as Burnley swung the ball in from Everton’s right.
Chris Wood was the target and had Godfrey not edged the ball away with an aerial clearance the New Zealand forward would surely have connected.
Yerry Mina is now fit and ready to return when Everton face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, but Godfrey will likely retain his place in Ancelotti’s side.
The 23-year old could find himself on the left, on the right or in the centre, but either way, the Italian coach will almost certainly look to his defensive strengths against the league leaders.
In other Everton news, Fenerbahce are interested in signing Everton forward Josh King this summer.