Everton defender Ben Godfrey is struggling for game time under Sean Dyche and Leeds United have emerged as surprise contenders for the centre-back’s signature – a player Daniel Farke knows well.
The 26-year-old joined Everton back in the summer of 2020 for a fee of £25m from Farke’s Norwich, as the German brought the defender through at Carrow Road, alongside Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons.
But in almost four years on Merseyside, injury has limited Godfrey to just 80 games. This season, he has found himself behind both James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite in Dyche’s Everton pecking order.
Indeed, Godfrey has only managed three appearances in all competitions – warming the bench for The Toffees. Now, the race to land Godfrey before the end of the window is hotting up. Leeds are keen.
As are Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United and Italian giants AC Milan – after Atalanta failed to strike a deal. Speaking about Godfrey while he was at Norwich back in 2019, Farke was quoted by TalkSPORT.
“The best centre-backs in the world, at 19 and 20, they will have made mistakes. The best ones learn. Ben is playing without mistakes. That is outstanding. He is a pretty emotional player and I like that a lot.
“He is capable of finding another gear. If we are losing or having a difficult period,he starts to get the red mist we had to calm him down. Now he is able to calm himself down, to focus and control his emotions.”
What Daniel Farke said about Leeds target Ben Godfrey in 2019
Farke has made it clear he would like a new left-sided defender this month, and after the loss of both Djed Spence and Luke Ayling – a new right-back is also under consideration. Godfrey covers both roles.
Naturally, a centre-back, Godfrey can play as a holding midfielder or on either side of the defence – such is his ability on the ball, technically. He is a player that can cover a number of holes in this Leeds squad.
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