Sam Preston
 

Ben Godfrey has been thrown in at the deep end at the start of his Everton career.

Primarily brought in to offer cover at centre back, Godfrey has played more often at right and left back since his deadline day arrival from Norwich.

He has shone in three important Toffees victories in the space of a week in that unfamiliar left back role.

We spoke exclusively to former Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, who expects the Englishman to be at Goodison Park for many years to come.

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“He went to that back five against Fulham a few weeks ago, and it didn’t really suit Everton,” said Martyn. “Then he gets Godfrey and Holgate to play full back and they’ve been excellent.

“I know a guy at Everton really, really well and he said ‘Ben Godfrey, your last performances have proven to everybody that you’ll be an Evertonian for years to come.’

“I know what he was saying. There were some question marks over his early performances but he’s certainly performing to the level needed now.

“The clean sheet against Chelsea was vital. Then you go to Leicester who are flying and get a really good result, another clean sheet. Ancelotti’s got them playing really well again.”

Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images

Godfrey might have hoped for more gametime in his preferred centre back role but he’s just got on with the job at hand.

That’s what Martyn is getting at when he said Godfrey’s already proved his worth. At Everton, it’s not about complaining, it’s about giving everything regardless of the situation.

Godfrey has done exactly that, without moaning and has actually produced some quality performances at full back. That’s not easy at all for a centre half.

At just 22, he was certainly bought with the future in mind and the early signs are that he’s impressed a huge amount already.

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