Ben Godfrey Everton career all but over if Sean Dyche snubs him v Burnley
Sean Dyche could be set to bring an end to the Everton career of Ben Godfrey if he opts to ignore him in the Carabao Cup clash v Burnley on Wednesday.
The Toffees are set to do battle with the manager’s previous club for a place in the quarter-finals of the cup, on the back of a terrific run of form which has seen them win four of their last six in all competitions.
But one man who hasn’t played any part in that run is defender Godfrey, who has found minutes increasingly difficult to come by this season.
The 25-year-old played 90 minutes in the second-round of this competition in a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers, before coming on as an injury time substitute in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in September.
In total he has managed just 91 minutes of action this season, with all of James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane ahead of him in the pecking order at centre-back.
He is also capable of playing at full-back, but even with Seamus Coleman’s injury meaning he hasn’t made an appearance this season he still finds himself behind Ashley Young, Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson in the pecking order there too.
After beating West Ham at the weekend, the club will take on Brighton in the Premier League this weekend which means a change of personnel in the midweek game vs Burnley is his best chance of action.
While the Toffees are favourites in this cup clash, there is every chance they crash out of the competition such is the nature of a cup contest.
If that were to happen, Godfrey’s playing chances would become even more limited ahead of the January transfer window and an exit would be more or less nailed on at that point barring an injury crisis in defence.
If he gets the nod in midweek then we will know that Dyche still considers him to be part of his plans and is keen to keep him sharp in case he is needed. If he doesn’t use him at all again, then it’s probably best for all involved that a January exit happens.
In other Everton news, attacking duo likely to start v Burnley in Carabao Cup clash.