Ben Godfrey set to move again just months after Everton exit – Fabrizio Romano
Ben Godfrey has been allowed to leave Atalanta just six months after signing from Everton and must get his next move right to rekindle his career.
Fabrizio Romano posted on X (2 January) to reveal that Godfrey, 26, is considered “no longer key” for Atalanta’s long-term ambitions, and has not been included for the Serie A club’s Italian Supercoppa squad against Inter for Thursday night.
The centre-half, who played 93 times for Everton but rejected several new contract offers in favour of a switch to Italy, is now looking for another new challenge.
On paper, the new European adventure looked as if it would be the next logical career step for Godfrey, getting the chance to try his hand in the Champions League.
But on the whole, it has been anything but for the former Toffee who has been left tearing his hair out at developments on the continent.
Ben Godfrey exit from Everton did not work out
Everton did everything in their relative power to tie down Godfrey to a contract renewal last summer, but the defender and his camp appeared adamant they wanted a change.
However, the first foreign move of the defender’s career has failed to reap the rewards, with just one game under his belt in Serie A since his arrival, despite appearing in the Champions League for the first time in his career.
Sean Dyche’s squad have moved on and moulded without him, striking up a defensive unit which in recent weeks has largely improved via some impressive results against the best of the Premier League.
Interest will undoubtedly arrive at Godfrey’s door following the revelation of Atalanta’s stance, with an age profile and a level of quality which will appeal to many suitors.
But it’s a shame from his own perspective that it looks like the Italian dream is already close to an end for the former Norwich City ace.
In other Everton news, Dean Saunders makes a claim about Dyche if he were to be sacked.
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Kieran Maguire has fired shots at the Premier League as Everton await a decision on a potential third points deduction.
The Toffees were hit by two separate points deductions by the Premier League last season, with the commission unable to come to a conclusion over a £6,561,000 discrepancy related to stadium spending interest [The Times].