Sean Dyche has admitted that Everton defender Ben Godfrey has impressed him in training, but he is struggling to give him regular game time.
Godfrey has dropped down the pecking order at Goodison Park and he is yet to make a start in the Premier League this season.
Dyche has preferred the likes of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite at centre-back, and he has suggested that it’s tough for Godfrey at the moment to get into the first-team due to the form of the other players.
90min recently claimed that Godfrey is up for sale in the January transfer window, and clubs like Tottenham and Rangers are vying for his signature. However, it appears that Dyche likes him, and wants him to be a part of his squad. He says that Godfrey has looked “sharp” in training.
“Yes, he’s doing terrifically well for us. He’s training very well, he’s staying sharp and ready,” said Dyche, as quoted by Liverpool Echo.
“The hardest thing we’ve had lately is the games programme, to try and keep the players who are not quite playing, 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.”
Should Godfrey look to leave?
The 25-year-old is an experienced Premier League defender and he should be playing regularly. The lack of game time must be hurting, and he is now completely out of England contention.
He should be eyeing to reignite his career and should consider leaving the club in the January window if his situation doesn’t improve.
While he can play for any side in the Premier League, he can try moving north and play for Rangers on loan for the rest of the season, in case Everton are only willing to allow him to go out on a temporary deal.
Dyche is spot on here. When your centre-backs are performing well, it is really hard to drop them. It looks like Godfrey could be missing Everton’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace as well this weekend at Selhurst Park.
