View: Godfrey should consider himself unfortunate to miss England squad
Gareth Southgate has some tough decisions to make before England announce their Euros squad on Tuesday, and he could seek to benefit by including Everton defender Ben Godfrey.
The Everton defender has been a pillar of consistency on Merseyside this season, having arguably performed as the club’s best player this season this signing from Norwich in the summer.
Capable of playing on the left, the right, in central midfield or in his strongest position of centre-back, Godfrey would be the versatile and committed defender that Southgate needs.
Godfrey’s claim for an England spot goes beyond simply what he deserves though, with Southgate’s options also being so limited that he should genuinely be considered.
Harry Maguire and John Stones will likely be included as the starting options, so long as both are fit, while Tyrone Mings has a place as Southgate’s left-footed option.
Kyle Walker is likely to be named as a right-back selection, but Southgate has utilised him in the centre as part of a back-three in the past, making him another option.
There’s every chance with an expanded squad of 26 that Southgate will look to add a fourth natural centre-back, his fifth option in the centre if Walker is also considered, and that’s where Godfrey could fit in.
Southgate has turned to Eric Dier, Conor Coady and Michael Keane over the past 12 months, but the Everton defender described as a “revelation” by BBC Sport chief Phil McNulty could beat out them all.
Dier and Coady have both struggled to recapture form that had previously seen them break into Southgate’s set-up this season, while Keane has been inconsistent for Everton, falling behind Godfrey as the club’s strongest central option.
It remains to be seen whether Southgate would even consider Godfrey, or whether the former Canary man’s progress over the course of the campaign has even reached the England boss’s radar, but he certainly has a claim.
If he isn’t picked that also works for us because rest over the summer period should see him fresh for pre-season, but we’d equally be delighted to see him given his just rewards.
In other Everton news, the Blues are in advanced talks over a mega-money sale of this player.
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