‘He doesn’t want to play’: Danny Murphy baffled by decisions on Arsenal & Everton duo

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Danny Murphy has questioned Aidy Boothroyd’s decisions on Arsenal and Everton duo Eddie Nketiah and Ben Godfrey, as he told talkSPORT.

Both players are currently on international duty with the England U21’s, where they are taking part in the European Championships – they have lost their opening two matches and are heading for an early exit.

Arsenal’s little poacher has started up front during both games, whilst Everton’s versatile defender has been deployed at right-back by Boothroyd.

Given Nketiah’s lack of game time at Arsenal this season, Murphy has questioned why he is starting, whilst he doesn’t understand why Godfrey isn’t playing at centre-back, where he has thrived for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this term.

He also believes that Godfrey ‘doesn’t really want to play’ at right-back and his body language is giving that away.

On Nketiah: “Some of the players haven’t been playing a lot at club level, Nketiah would be a good example of that,” said Murphy.

“He hasn’t played for how long in the Arsenal team and then he’s going to the U21’s and is expected to produce his best form, which is difficult, so why are you playing him? Play someone that’s playing every week.

On Godfrey: “Why was Ben Godfrey playing right-back when he has spent the last three months playing centre-half,” questioned Murphy. “Things like that jump out to me.

“I know he can play right-back, but he has been superb at centre-half for Everton. Really playing well. There was talk of him getting a call-up to the first-team.

“You take him to the U21’s, you throw him in at right-back, where he doesn’t really want to play, by the way. You know that when he speaks. You can hear him – he doesn’t want to play at RB. You have a lad a little bit disappointed at not being in the first-team squad.”

Nketiah’s record for England’s younger age groups is pretty impressive, as he is the highest goal-getter for the U21’s.

But during his time at the European Championships, he hasn’t even had a sniff of a chance, nevermind scoring.

Whilst Godfrey is another player struggling to impose himself, many feel the blame lies with the coach, who is not getting the best out of a talented group of youngsters performing nowhere near their best.