Michael Ball says Everton have a ‘top’ 23-year-old in their ranks, he ‘has to be applauded’

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Michael Ball has lauded Everton star Ben Godfrey on Twitter for stepping in at right-back, straight after returning from a spell on the sidelines after testing positive for Covid-19.

The former Toffees defender believes Godfrey deserves to be applauded for returning to action straight away. Knowing that others in his position would have shirked the challenge.

Godfrey had missed the opening four games of the season after contracting the virus. But his appearance in the Toffees’ win over Norwich City on Saturday marked the 23-year-old’s fourth-straight start across all competitions.

Rafa Benitez also kept Godfrey on the pitch for the full 90-minutes against Norwich, after relying on the £77k-a-week defender throughout the Blues’ Carabao Cup loss on penalties to Queens Park Rangers four-days earlier.

Ball believes Godfrey deserves praise for how he has stepped up for Everton in his second season at the club. The England defender joined from Norwich City for £20m last October.

“Top player. Little or no rest in the summer,” Ball wrote. “He has to be applauded for not just wanting to play, but to play straight after covid in any position. I’m sure the fans know players who would’ve ducked out.”

Benitez admits Godfrey only operating at 70% for Everton

Ball’s praise for Godfrey is all the more remarkable as Benitez admits the Everton enforcer is only operating at 70%. The Spaniard told EvertonTV: “We cannot forget he had covid and it was quite difficult for him. He is getting better and, little-by-little, he will be better still.

“His fitness is maybe 70%, he can improve a lot. In terms of his understanding and position and things he has to do, he is very keen to learn. We are talking all the time on the training ground, so he can improve, and I am sure he will do it.”

Godfrey seemed to be carrying the effects of two full 90-minute encounters, plus penalties against QPR, when Everton beat Norwich. The defender was clearly still not at peak fitness, yet persisted in his endeavour to make an impact at full-back.

Benitez will hope to see Godfrey gain fitness in training this week ahead of the Blues’ trip to Manchester United. His lack of sharpness had also come to the fore before the Toffees hosted Norwich on Saturday. Which the Blues can ill-afford at Old Trafford this weekend.