Ben Godfrey makes admission over new Everton left-back role
Everton defender Ben Godfrey has admitted he finds it easier to play at left-back than right-back and that he is working to improve in his new role.
The former Norwich defender has been used as a makeshift left-back in recent games following Rafa Benitez’s fallout with regular first-choice option Lucas Digne.
Godfrey has proved a solid option on the left, helping Everton beat Arsenal before shining in defeat at Crystal Palace and excelling in a draw with Chelsea.
With Digne out of the team and Vitaly Mykolenko reportedly on his way in during the January transfer window, Godfrey’s place in the side isn’t guaranteed.
Speaking to the official Everton matchday programme, Godfrey admitted he is learning the role of full-back and knows what he needs to do to improve.
“There will be times you bomb forward when you play full-back, you have to do it, and with my pace, I can get in dangerous positions,” he said.
“I haven’t found myself in those areas very often in my career, so I have to work on what to do when I’m there and practice my crossing and start contributing assists.
“Left-back sometimes feels easier than right-back, which is strange, I am not sure why. But I enjoy playing there.
“Defensively I back myself in one-v-one situations and to clean-up balls played in behind me. I am lucky I have pace to defend and get forward, if need be.”
Options
Versatility is never a bad thing in football but it’s almost always a positive in defensive positions when you’re young.
Godfrey’s ability to play across the entire back four means he is an option at all times for Benitez and the fact he is a willing and able learner in the new roles is always a good sign.
Coachability is a big thing at the highest level and Godfrey has that, identifying his own weaknesses and happily doing the work to get better.
His mere presence offers plenty of competition for places and his ability means that no player should feel completely safe in their role.
Previously described as ‘powerful‘, ‘tactically intelligent’ and ‘really aggressive’ by Carlo Ancelotti, he has all the attributes to be a top defender in the Premier League and eventually for England if he continues to apply himself in the correct manner.
In other Everton news, Michael Ball tells Toffees how they can turn their season around.