View: Godfrey signing should serve as blueprint for future Everton business
Everton defender Ben Godfrey has described the moment that Gareth Southgate informed him of his England call-up as “surreal”.
The 23-year old was rewarded for an impressive debut season on Merseyside where he quickly became a vital player under Carlo Ancelotti.
Signed from Norwich City for around £20million in the summer, Godfrey has demonstrated his versatility, tenacity and ability on the ball for the Blues this season, and he’s arguably stood out as the club’s best summer signing.
Carlo Ancelotti and Marcel Brands struck gold when they brought Godfrey to Goodison Park almost 12 months ago and the defender should stand as the blueprint for future business.
James Rodriguez and Allan were both signings that brought world-class talent and international pedigree to the club but, as older players, neither has much room to grow on Merseyside.
Likewise Abdoulaye Doucoure, while a vital player for Ancelotti, doesn’t have much room to grow and develop further under Ancelotti’s tutelage.
Godfrey meanwhile has already shown just how talented he could become, and having received his first senior international call-up highlights the fact that Everton are doing strong work.
Not only should that put Everton’s name forward as a club that allows youth to flourish, it should also go to prove burgeoning talent can be as valuable as that established ability.
Everton have an ageing squad and the additions of Rodriguez, Doucoure and Allan further accentuated that fact last summer.
The Toffees need to plan ahead as well as seek immediate squad improvement and younger prospects are likely to prove their worth in the long-run.
Godfrey was brought to Goodison Park as someone who could help out when called upon, and he became a “revelation” when he was thrust into an important position.
Everton must continue to attract high profile names to boost the club’s chances at breaking into the top six, but it is equally if not more important to continue searching for younger players with the right amount of potential and the perfect attitude.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys destroys this Toffees star, shares embarrassing stat after big incident over the weekend.
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