Exit-linked Everton outcase still has something to offer after 100% display v Burnley
Everton outcast Ben Godfrey was outstanding in his first start of the season as the Toffees defeated Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday 16 December.
A recent report from talkSPORT (6 December) has linked the 25-year-old with a move away from Goodison Park, with Tottenham said to be interested due to their injury crisis in defence.
However, a resolute and heroic performance against Burnley may have saved Godfrey’s Everton career, coming to the rescue on more than one occasion against the Clarets.
Jarrad Branthwaite was unavailable through suspension due to picking up his fifth booking of the season versus Chelsea, and Vitalii Mykolenko was out with injury, so Sean Dyche was forced to depend on Godfrey and Michael Keane to partner James Tarkowski.
After an almost-perfect first half, Everton went into the break 2-0 up thanks to goals from Amadou Onana and Keane. It could have been a totally different half-time talk as Godfrey cleared a goalbound cross off the line following a Tarkowski mistake.
But Burnley also came out swinging in the second 45 minutes, pushing the Toffees’ backs against the ball, and Godfrey was part of that Everton defence to keep their fourth clean sheet in as many matches.
He won 100 per cent of his tackles, made three clearances, two interceptions and three recoveries, also winning 50 per cent of his aerial battles. [FotMob]
Since joining the club in 2020, he has tallied up 80 appearances. But minutes on the pitch have been hard to come by recently, shunned by Dyche since the end of last season. This performance may just change the manager’s stance on his defender, though.
It will be interesting to see what happens during the January transfer window – whether he leaves on a permanent transfer, a loan spell or stays at the club to fight for his place.
In other Everton news, Aaron Lennon has named Dyche as the angriest manager he ever played under in his playing career.