View: Ben Godfrey is the ideal model for Everton’s transfer plans
Everton kept their European ambitions alive with a narrow win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Friday night, with a number of players impressing.
The Blues failed to carve out many clear-cut chances but their defensive display was top drawer, effectively stifling Arsenal’s creativity for the majority of the game.
Richarlison created the goal that saw Everton win away at Arsenal for the first time since 1996, however it was a mistake from Bernd Leno that ultimately saw the Toffees emerge victorious.
Ben Godfrey stood out at the back for the Blues in what was yet another terrific defensive display from the young defender, who has fast become an integral player in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The Italian manager continued to rotate his defensive options, this time playing Godfrey alongside Mason Holgate in the centre of defence while Michael Keane was left out entirely, and the duo played well together.
Holgate, who was involved in both of Everton’s defensive mishaps against Spurs last week, was much more composed against the Gunners; however Godfrey was the standout for the away side.
Strong, fast and bursting with energy, Godfrey is a defender who works extremely hard from the first minute until the last, while he comfortably manages to cover every blade of grass within his zone.
Lauded by BBC Sport journalist Phil McNulty as a “revelation” this season, Godfrey has come to embody the perfect Everton signing. Young, talented and hungry to succeed, the 23-year old continues to take advantage of every opportunity afforded to him, and he never allows his standards to slip.
Everton seem to be approaching the upcoming summer transfer window with the same vision in mind, with recent speculation mounting concerning Everton’s potential capture of Norwich right-back Max Aarons.
Like Godfrey, Aarons is young and talented, and he’d add plenty of quality to Everton both as an immediate fix and as someone with a long-term future at Goodison Park.
Godfrey certainly represents the type of player Everton should be looking for in the transfer market, and should he continue to perform and develop at the same rate for the remainder of the current campaign he will surely be considered Everton’s signing of the season.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti ready to give greenlight to mega-money swap deal.
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