When Premier League icon Rio Ferdinand was singing the praises of Ben Godfrey back in 2021, you’d have got very long odds on player who set Everton back an eye-watering £20 million ending up north of the border at Rangers two-and-a-half years later.
The former Norwich City captain was, after all, supposed to establish himself as one of the finest all-round defenders in English football. What’s more, having spent £20 million to lure Ben Godfrey away from Carrow Road, Everton would have expected that – when rumours started to swirl around his future later down the line – any potential departure from Goodison Park would see the Toffees earn a substantial profit.
It goes without saying, of course, that Rangers are in no position to stump up in excess of £20 million for any player. Now matter how talented. Reports from 90Min linking Godfrey with a move to Ibrox, then, can be taken as a sign that Everton are ready to accept a pretty substantial loss on that initial investment, the twice-capped England international out of favour as his contract enters it’s final 18 months years.
Rangers linked with Everton misfit Ben Godfrey
Godfrey has played only one minute of Premier League football under Sean Dyche all season long. He’s been left on the bench for the last seven games too. Knocked down the pecking order by the exceptional form of one-time Rangers target Jarrad Branthwaite.
So, if Godfrey is to end up at Ibrox – likely on loan or via a knock-down fee below the £10 million mark – how can Gers boss Philippe Clement set about restoring the 25-year-old’s reputation as one of the most promising defenders in the British isles? Well, Ferdinand’s comments from a couple of seasons ago still ring true. Godfrey a natural-born centre-half who had become something of a victim of his own versatility at Everton.
“Ben Godfrey, as good a defender as he is, going forward isn’t his best attribute,” Ferdinand told FIVE, the York-born colossus struggling after being shifted into an ill-fitting full-back role.
“He’s not going to be overlapping all game. He is not like Danny Alves, he’s not like Kyle Walker or Trent Alexander-Arnold. His main attribute is to get you one-v-one and defend against you. He’s great at that!”
Godfrey needs a fresh start
Ferdinand, who once recommended Godfrey to his former employers Manchester United, would presumably be pleased to see the seldom-seen defender embark upon a fresh start in Glasgow, playing first-team football in his favoured role once again.
With James Tavernier firmly established as Rangers’ first-choice right-back and their most creative outlet, Godfrey would almost certainly return to his favoured central role in a Rangers shirt. His pace, passing range and physical prowess making Godfrey an ideal replacement for a soon-to-be-31-year-old Connor Goldson.
