Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his interest in signing Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey, amid speculation of a reported £26 million bid from The Toffees.
The Italian manager spoke following his side’s 4-1 fourth round Carabao Cup victory over West Ham United, which secured a sixth victory of the season and maintained their 100% record in all competitions.
Despite starting the campaign with two successive clean sheets, Ancelotti’s men have conceded six times in their last four matches, demonstrating an area of defensive weakness.
According to Sky Sports, the Merseyside club had offered £26 million for Godfrey, with an initial fee of £20 million, plus £6 million in potential add-ons.
When asked whether he was an admirer of the defender, the tactician alluded to his side’s defensive shortcomings, while hailing Godfrey as a ‘really good centre-back.’
As quoted by TalkSPORT, he said, “I said in the past that we are looking for a centre-back because we are short there, and Godfrey is a really good centre-back, but he is at this moment playing for Norwich, so I can’t say more.”
Ben Godfrey’s brilliance
Godfrey showed glimpses of his defensive quality during Norwich City’s league campaign last season and was one of The Canaries bright sparks in what was an overall disappointing term.
The side were relegated in their first season back in the English top-flight and set an unwanted record by becoming the first side in Premier League history to be demoted from the division on five separate occasions.
Godfrey is a player that reads danger well and gets into good defensive positions. He suffered last season, mostly due to taking on his teammates’ responsibilities, often having to do additional jobs in defence.
He enjoys aerial duels and made 76 headed clearances last season, among the top 14 in the league last campaign, according to stats from the Premier League emphasising his aerial presence.
In an arguably better defensive side, with Allan playing the anchor and sitting just in front of the centre-halves, Godfrey could focus on his duties alone. He would become an invaluable asset for The Toffees, whose Yerry Mina has been caught out on a handful of occasions.
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