Having only made two starts across all competitions for Sean Dyche’s Everton side so far this term, the 26-year-old defender is reportedly being targeted by Serie A giants Milan as their defensive ranks continue being riddled by injury.
Godfrey the latest English export?
- Milan’s chief scout Geoffrey Moncada has been hard at work trying to keep their rumoured targets out of the media spotlight, for fear of driving asking prices up and alerting rivals about player availability
- Brest’s Lilian Brassier, Clement Lenglet at Aston Villa (on-loan from Barcelona) are two names being mentioned but difficult to acquire
- Given his versatility and the fact he’s not playing regularly at Everton, Ben Godfrey represents a potentially low-cost and shrewd winter signing
- Atalanta, Sheffield United and Leeds have all been linked with the 26-year-old in recent weeks but no bids have arrived for the twice-capped England international who cost £25m from Norwich in 2020
Milan’s first-team defensive regulars Fikayo Tomori (thigh), Malick Thiaw (hamstring) and Pierre Kalulu (ruptured tendon) are all sidelined until mid-February with respective injuries, leaving the Rossoneri short defensively.
Simon Kjaer (muscle) missed a chunk of this campaign with injury himself, while attack-minded fullback Theo Hernandez has often found himself forced into a more disciplined central defensive role to cover for his injury-stricken teammates.
Serbian teenager Jan-Carlo Simic scored on his debut in a 3-0 league win over Monza last month, but the 18-year-old was fast-tracked from the youth ranks and isn’t deemed ready yet for a full senior breakthrough.
Matteo Gabbia was recalled from a patchy loan spell at La Liga side Villarreal and has started their last two games, though both he and Kjaer aren’t expected to last very long given where they stand in the pecking order when all are fit.
That’s where Godfrey comes into the picture per Calciomercato, seeing as Sean Dyche prefers James Tarkowski alongside England U21 centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who himself is attracting interest from big sides across the continent.
Michael Keane is third-choice behind the pair, so Godfrey – one surprise start away at Burnley aside – has been reduced to an unused substitute role so far this term.
Everton host Luton Town in the fourth-round of the FA Cup this weekend and travel to Fulham three days later, so it’ll be interesting to see whether Godfrey features in any capacity. If he doesn’t, that will presumably solidify an exit – either on loan or a permanent move – before the window closes next week Thursday.
Picture source: Getty Images
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