‘He’s rapid’: Calvert-Lewin admits he’s ‘just realised’ how quick Everton defender is

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has told Sky Sports that he has ‘just realised’ that Everton defender Ben Godfrey is ‘rapid’.

It has been a fair few months since Godfrey made a summer switch from Norwich to Everton and Calvert-Lewin would now be accustomed to what the centre-back is like.

A defender with a great athletic presence, Godfrey has played at centre-back and also at full-back for the Toffees this season, where he has been able to showcase his speed off the mark.

Calvert-Lewin named the Everton players who would be the top challengers for a race, as there were a couple of surprising names.

“The race would be, myself, Ben Godfrey,” said Calvert-Lewin. “No, I have just realised he is rapid. He’s pretty fast.

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“I think even off the mark he is pretty quick and athletic. But I think if it was a flat out race, 100-meter race.

“You would have me, Ben, probably Jarrad Branthwaite and I probably have to throw Richie [Richarlison] in there. I think he would be in there. He has got to be.”

There’s no doubt that a player like Richarlison would back himself in a foot race, with or without the ball, between his teammates and he could well be the quickest player at the club.

But for Everton’s fans, it will be encouraging to hear that both Godfrey and Branthwaite are also quick off the park because it adds that bit of dynamism to their defence when they play.

Both are players still trying to prove themselves at the top level, with Godfrey the more experienced following his spell at Norwich in the top-tier last season.

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