Sean Dyche is full of praise for Everton’s seldom seen centre-back Ben Godfrey amid reports suggesting that Rangers are keen on the Premier League benchwarmer.
The former Norwich City captain has played only one minute of top-flight football under Dyche this season, falling behind James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and the exceptional Jarrod Branthwaite in Everton’s pecking order.
As such, speculation over Ben Godfrey’s future is on the rise ahead of the January window. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are looking into a potential winter deal, not to mention Burnley, AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace (90Min).
So, while Rangers may appear to be facing an uphill battle, a potential loan move north of the border should not be discounted entirely at this stage. Rangers, after all, can offer Godfrey the sort of first-team football he would not be guaranteed at Spurs or at St James, and that could only be beneficial for both Everton and the 25-year-old himself.
Rangers reportedly in Ben Godfrey chase
Dyche, meanwhile, admires the way Godfrey has gone about his business on the training pitch, performing with a great deal of professionalism despite his suddenly very limited role.
“He’s doing terrifically well for us. He’s training very well, he’s staying sharp and ready,” the Toffees boss tells the Liverpool Echo.
“The hardest thing we’ve had lately is the games programme, to try and keep the players who are not quite playing, (not) starting in the first team, keeping them game-ready. But he looks after himself. He’s a super-fit fella, he’s going along well and he’s ready.
“I think it’s fair to say currently it’s tough. The two centre-halves are both playing very, very well as most people are saying outside of my opinion and decision, I think most people accept that.”
Struggling for chances at Everton
Godfrey cost Everton a cool £20 million back in 2020. With his contract expiring in around 18 months’ time, however, cash-strapped, FFP-hit Everton may be forced to consider selling at a substantial loss.
“Sometimes as a centre-half, and I was one, it’s tough because you want to play,” Dyche concludes. “But I think there’s an honesty to most centre-halves. When they look at someone and think they are playing well, they know they’ve got to sit tight. I think he does know that.
“I think he’s a very good player but he’s looking at two centre-halves (Tarkowski and Branthwaite) who are currently on very, very strong form.”
