Everton defender Ben Godfrey stat merits Euro selection
A new statistic has been published that reveals how well Everton defender Ben Godfrey fares in comparison to the other centre-backs picked by Gareth Southgate.
When Southgate announced a preliminary squad for the Euros next month, instantly people began discussing which seven players will make the cut.
What the consensus is that a goalkeeper, a full-back and two centre-backs will be omitted along with a midfielder and two attacking players.
The two centre-backs that are immune from omission are John Stones and Harry Maguire, as they will be Southgate’s first-choice options.
However, Godfrey, when compared to the likes of Conor Coady, Ben White and Tyrone Mings, shows that he’s been clear in terms of defensive as well as ball-playing abilities.
The above graphic shows that he averages an over 60 percent success rate in both dribblers tackled as well as in terms of defensive duels.
White who’s at the lower end of both metrics instantly merits the boot while Coady despite being a regular pick for Southgate is unlikely to have done enough to make the cut.
In a league of his own
These statistics reveal just how pivotal he has been to our defensive setup this season. Who knew that a relatively inexperienced player joining from Norwich would have the kind of impact he’s had, but it’s worked out tremendously.
We’ve often been critcised for making naive transfers and splurging on players not worth their buck, but Godfrey has proven he’s worth the money, each time he’s stepped on to the field.
Carlo Ancelotti called for his Euro selection recently by referring to him as an ‘outstanding‘ talent. He would undoubtedly be delighted to see Southgate take cognisance and will be hoping that he selects him for the competition squad.
Godfrey is unlikely to play an entire game in the tournament, but he’s likely to be England’s centre-back for the next generation and deserves to be part of a tournament squad before he eventually becomes a first-team regular.
In other Everton news, Sky Sports journalist delivers major Everton transfer update on move for ‘outstanding’ PL ace
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