Everton must seal healthy multi-million windfall on fringe player Ben Godfrey, he needs to quit
Everton defender Ben Godfrey could well look to end his Goodison Park nightmare in January and the club must aid his wish by sealing a healthy financial windfall for his services.
The 25-year-old has made only one appearance for Sean Dyche’s side this season, coming off the bench for one minute of Premier League action in September and is expected to depart Goodison Park when the January transfer window opens (football.london, 30 November).
On 8 November, 90min reported that Newcastle, Tottenham and Rangers are interested in Godfrey and the increasing interest in his signature could certainly come as a boost to Everton given Godfrey’s limited minutes.
With Godfrey having played just 1 minute of Premier League action so far this season, it is believed he is keen to leave for more regular football while the Toffees are open to a sale should they receive an acceptable offer for his services.
Bournemouth, Burnley, and Crystal Palace are all also said to be interested in Godfrey as he inches closer to an inevitable exit at Goodison Park (90min, 8 November).
The York-born powerhouse appeared to be a worthy capture at the time of his arrival back in 2020 signed by Carlo Ancelotti, having previously starred for his previous employers Norwich City, both in the second tier and in the Premier League.
Godfrey commanded a rather sizeable fee at £20m, after showing some tremendous potential and growth in his game during his early years at Carrow Road, especially in the Premier League.
Since then, the former Canaries defender has gone on to make 79 appearances on the blue half of Merseyside since his capture in 2020, severely hampered by injury troubles and lack of consistency in the Toffees first team.
That has unfortunately continued under Sean Dyche’s ten-month tenure at the club, with the 25-year-old defender now a forgotten man, over two years on from when he was touted as one of the best young defenders of his position in the country and handed his England debut in June 2021.
While Godfrey ultimately stayed put with the likes of Conor Coady, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate all departing, the £4m-rated man has found himself on the periphery this season with youngster Jarrad Branthwaite now a deserved regular in the team.
Godfrey has featured in just two games all season and it’s now very uncertain when he’ll go on to make another under Dyche’s tutelage right now, especially given Branthwaite’s expected absence through suspension against Burnley on Saturday (16 December).
The 25-year-old needs a lease on life right now and could well have the pick of a whole host of clubs in the January window.
It looks as if Everton won’t be short on offers in January and given the club’s tough financial situation right now, any sort of cash boost for fringe players would be welcome. It’s best for all parties that Godfrey seeks pastures new.
In other Everton news, Aaron Lennon has said that “scary” Dyche was the most angry manager he ever played under