2020/21 Ben Godfrey

[Zatara]

How much do you think he would cost?

Inter have major financial issues. On the face of it I'd say he'd be unattainable and Inter would never sell...maybe £60-80mil if they did.

However, i read that he may be available for £43mil due to those financial issues (they have missed a payment on Hakimi to Madrid on his €40mil fee).

He's that good though, if it took selling Mina and Keane to pay his fee i would do it.


Tapsoba has a £44mil release clause.

Man City were quoted £64 or £65mil for Kounde so went for Dias...hes rumoured to be available for £50mil+ this summer.


Bastoni, i think is going to be the next Nesta/Cannavaro level italian defender.

Obviously a Ramos would be an upgrade.
But realistically we’ll be looking at a right full back and an attacking player to replace Bernard.

I would go 3 at the back and switch to a diamond using attacking full backs / wing backs.

For me, just focus our funds on RB+CB+CM this summer.

Godfrey shouldnt be the 'star' centre back miles ahead of the others...he needs an 'equal' partner to bring him on and complement his game.

 

[Terrarian]

We need due diligence doing on players characters for me, moyes did that to great effect. More players with BG attitude and we would not get these performances.

 

[Eggs]

We literally have a world class defender in Michael Keane. People are sleeping on what a golliath Keane really is...

....world class means he’d get into any side on the planet. He’s not even made the England Euro squad and I’m not hearing of a queue of top clubs wanting to sign him.

We don’t have anybody in that category (in my opinion), but I’m sure DCL, Digne, Richarlison & Godfrey are in the thoughts of top clubs.

 

[atypicalusername]

....world class means he’d get into any side on the planet. He’s not even made the England Euro squad and I’m not hearing of a queue of top clubs wanting to sign him.

We don’t have anybody in that category (in my opinion), but I’m sure DCL, Digne, Richarlison & Godfrey are in the thoughts of top clubs.

I think he's been exceptional for us but yes Godfrey has bags of potential

 

[atypicalusername]

I beg your pardon?

Digne you could make a strong argument for. Godfrey is on the way to 'potentially' become world class.

Mina on his day is up there with the best and our best option to partner Godfrey. He can still be improved upon.

Keane doesnt have the athleticism or the reading of the game + not really the 'killer' mentality imo



The lack of a top quality right back has impeded us along with having to sit deep to get the best out of Keane.



In a deep 4 then id agree.

In a 3 or if we want to play a higher line then Keanes at the bottom.

Id say you have the silver medal with Godfrey. @Neiler called it as we were signing him



I know this was directed at @Eggs but ive been prattling on about the need for not only a Right back (which anyone can see) but also a massive upgrade at centre back.

Imagine how we'd look with another athletic beast with the same will to win next to Godfrey and a rapid top notch right back.

I think Michael Keane is a fine athlete though? I'm happy to agree to disagree with you though mate.

 

[Zatara]

....world class means he’d get into any side on the planet. He’s not even made the England Euro squad and I’m not hearing of a queue of top clubs wanting to sign him.

We don’t have anybody in that category (in my opinion), but I’m sure DCL, Digne, Richarlison & Godfrey are in the thoughts of top clubs.

Aside from DCL, Digne, Richarlison and Godfrey...when you look through the team you can only really pick out James, Allan and Doucoure as those with a winning mentality.

We need more Ben Godfrey 'types'.

I think Michael Keane is a fine athlete though? I'm happy to agree to disagree with you though mate.

Would you say he was the best athlete out of all our centre backs? Id say hes behind, Godfrey, Holgate, Mina and likely Branthwaite as well...

Theres a reason why Godfrey and Holgate can both switch to full back roles. Also why Mina seems to look better when we play 3 at the back.

Cast your mind back to the start of last season...or the season before when he turned like a tug boat. We dont see that now as we sit very deep so the game is all played in front of him and theres less space for forwards to run in behind.

Now imagine having another player with all the attributes as Ben Godfrey only 3 inches taller and great at heading the ball...

What a combo that could be.

 

[atypicalusername]

Aside from DCL, Digne, Richarlison and Godfrey...when you look through the team you can only really pick out James, Allan and Doucoure as those with a winning mentality.

We need more Ben Godfrey 'types'.



Would you say he was the best athlete out of all our centre backs? Id say hes behind, Godfrey, Holgate, Mina and likely Branthwaite as well...

Theres a reason why Godfrey and Holgate can both switch to full back roles. Also why Mina seems to look better when we play 3 at the back.

Cast your mind back to the start of last season...or the season before when he turned like a tug boat. We dont see that now as we sit very deep so the game is all played in front of him and theres less space for forwards to run in behind.

Now imagine having another player with all the attributes as Ben Godfrey only 3 inches taller and great at heading the ball...

What a combo that could be.

There are more versatile players in our backing but for me it's Keane who is our best defender right now. I think he has more balance to his game than Godfrey who isn't as good in the air and is better on the ground than Mina. I think he drives forward very well and has great distribution. That's not saying I don't think Godfrey shows potential to be better than him. One day he could get to Jagielka level of defender which would be incredible.

Honestly not seen enough of Branthwaite to comment mate.

 

[Terrarian]

Obviously his pace is a huge huge difference maker and his desire to win tackles is top notch. He looks like he has the right mentality as well. Great buy, Captain material in the future.

 

[Zatara]

There are more versatile players in our backing but for me it's Keane who is our best defender right now. I think he has more balance to his game than Godfrey who isn't as good in the air and is better on the ground than Mina. I think he drives forward very well and has great distribution. That's not saying I don't think Godfrey shows potential to be better than him. One day he could get to Jagielka level of defender which would be incredible.

Honestly not seen enough of Branthwaite to comment mate.

They are able to be versatile because they have the necessary athleticism

I actually fully believe Mina is a level above Keane. Its a shame Keane isnt in the England squad as we need him going to the euros so we can attract a buyer.

As for Godfrey, id be disappointed if he only reached Jagielka's level. He's really got every tool both physically and mentally to be the best centre back in the league and one of the best in europe.

Obviously his pace is a huge huge difference maker and his desire to win tackles is top notch. He looks like he has the right mentality as well. Great buy, Captain material in the future.

He's got the lot. We havent been able to see his full range of passing yet and i believe at Norwich he was known as being a ball player.

Add that to his game and improve his positioning and reading of the play and he'll be a formidable defender.

 

[atypicalusername]

They are able to be versatile because they have the necessary athleticism

I actually fully believe Mina is a level above Keane. Its a shame Keane isnt in the England squad as we need him going to the euros so we can attract a buyer.

As for Godfrey, id be disappointed if he only reached Jagielka's level. He's really got every tool both physically and mentally to be the best centre back in the league and one of the best in europe.



He's got the lot. We havent been able to see his full range of passing yet and i believe at Norwich he was known as being a ball player.

Add that to his game and improve his positioning and reading of the play and he'll be a formidable defender.

Fair enough, happy to agree to disagree but that's just our opinions mate. If Godfrey gets better than peak Jagielka level we would have a very special player indeed! Let's hope so! COYB!

 

[BlueToff]

Thought he played very well yesterday.

I still think Mina and Godfrey is our best CB pairing.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Godfrey is our only Centre back that is comfortable attacking opposition forwards with the tackle, for his age to break the defensive line and win the ball as he does, bodes well for the future.

Gives us a bit of snarl and puts us quickly back on front foot from deep.

Its good to see the ball playing CBs, but you need the balance, someone who will snap in with tackle rather than hold off and shield which Mina and Keane do to often.

 

[Johnny Barton]

We need due diligence doing on players characters for me, moyes did that to great effect.

Really did his homework on VDM and Drenthe didnt he.
Everyone in Europe knew they were trouble, except Moyes of course

 

[Zatara]

Godfrey is our only Centre back that is comfortable attacking opposition forwards with the tackle, for his age to break the defensive line and win the ball as he does, bodes well for the future.

Gives us a bit of snarl and puts us quickly back on front foot from deep.

Its good to see the ball playing CBs, but you need the balance, someone who will snap in with tackle rather than hold off and shield which Mina and Keane do to often.

Godfrey is an interesting one in that you almost want to let him off the leash as a bit of a rockweiler against the incoming forward...but at the same time you need the covering defender to have the pace behind him...or at least be extremely adept positionally to cover for him.

Keane to me is more of a reactive player and Mina also seems to want to come and face the opposition forward.

This is an area i think we'll look at in the summer.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Really did his homework on VDM and Drenthe didnt he.
Everyone in Europe knew they were trouble, except Moyes of course

Royston was loan... And Andy did have some personal problems which could have been a precursor to much of his ills. Which could not be predicted unless you had crystal ball...