Carlo Ancelotti has praised Everton’s scouting system for bringing Ben Godfrey to his attention last year. Ancelotti has made no secret of his surprise with how well Godfrey has adapted to life at Everton but says the real knowledge about the player came from director of football Marcel Brands and his recruitment department.
Carlo Ancelotti said “He is right if he watched Ben Godfrey, he is right, Gareth doesn’t need advice from me, but to see and watch Ben Godfrey at this moment, in this period, it is a pleasure for a manager. He has surprised me because I didn’t know him so well. The signing from the club, from our scouts has been good. He has been able to adapt very quickly to different positions.”
The Blues signed the defender from Norwich City in October for £20m and he has emerged as the one of the signings of the season with a string of impressive displays. Godfrey is now being watched closely by England boss Gareth Southgate, who was at Goodison again on Wednesday evening, to watch the 23-year-old in action against Tottenham Hotspur. And though Ancelotti says he does not need to offer any recommendation to Southgate, he says the young defender is a “pleasure” to watch at this moment.