Ben Godfrey would be far from the ideal Everton player to step-in and replace Seamus Coleman against Southampton on Sunday with the Republic of Ireland international sidelined through injury.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Coleman will be out for this weekend’s Premier League clash, having been forced to withdraw the 32-year-old midway through the first half of the Merseyside Derby after he sustained a hamstring problem.
It is expected that Godfrey will now be awarded his first start since joining the Blues in a £20million transfer this summer when the Goodison Park outfit travel to St Mary’s, with Coleman likely on the sidelines for the next two to three weeks.
Everton Daily Update – 22/10/21 – DCL, Connolly and more!
Ancelotti has already stated his admiration for Godfrey’s talents at centre-half and proved he sees potential in the 22-year-old to play outside of his natural role through his use in the Merseyside Derby, but the defender’s output against Liverpool left much to the imagination.
“I said in the past that we are looking for a centre-back because we are short there, and Godfrey is a really good centre-back,” said Ancelotti, via quotes by talkSPORT amid rumours of his eventual move from Norwich City.
Ancelotti will be with a slack set of options to replace Coleman against Southampton with fellow right-back Jonjoe Kenny still weeks away from a potential return, despite making good progress at Finch Farm in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury sustained against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.
Everton currently have no definitive return date scheduled for Kenny, making it ever more likely that Godfrey’s first Toffees start will come at right-back against Southampton this Sunday.
Godfrey played 59 minutes in the role as he made his Everton debut at home to rivals Liverpool, and left Ancelotti impressed despite initially struggling to settle in the position.
“We signed him as a centre-back not a right-back, but he has quality to play in that position,” Ancelotti said, via quotes by The Boot Room. “He had a little problem when he went on the pitch at the beginning, but second-half was really good.”
As well as his initial struggles, Godfrey failed to register a single successful tackle against Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions, while being dribbled past once to his three clearances and two shots blocked, per SofaScore.
Ancelotti should have concerns over utilising Godfrey to cover for Coleman, as the former Norwich talent also lacks in key areas where the Italian believes his captain thrives.
“Seamus is a great example of a captain,” said Ancelotti, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “I have a lot of captains in my career, but Seamus has a lot of spirit and attitude and how he is able to explain his love for the shirt is really top.”
Godfrey has previously been described as an aggressive player by former Norwich manager Alex Neil, who said in 2016 via quotes by the Eastern Daily Press: “His competitive streak is really, really good, he is strong, aggressive and he can use the ball well.”
Should Godfrey’s aggressive streak surface against Southampton and he again fails to win any of his attempted tackles, the south coast side could have a field day having already shown a preference to attack down their left-hand side in the Premier League this term.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are currently attempting 44% of their attacks down the left-hand channel to 33% on the right and 23% through the centre, while that figure also rises to 46% when at home, per WhoScored.
Godfrey will certainly have his work cut out to restrict the flow of the game taking place on his side of the field, and any early struggles could set the tone in Southampton’s favour.
AND in other news, a permanent transfer could be imminent for a £1.44m-rated Everton man after his latest comments.
