Everton announce signing of Ben Godfrey

10 million!?!?

Great to have such strength in depth in the centre of defence now though – Mina was superb on Saturday, Keane has really upped his game, and we still have our best central defender Holgate to return from injury.

I am wondering how we are paying for all this but assuming that Moshiri is covering the bills then I guess we can just enjoy having the extra strength in depth and hope he turns out to be a good signing. We do need pace at the back so its definitely giving us something we don't have, even if Mina and Keane are playing well at the moment.

I think he will be a great signing for us and it gives us more of that all important strength in depth. That feeds consistency and will keep up right up there and challenging.

In fact when I see some results, and the way we have strengthened, why not go for the title. There are chinks in the armour of all our competitors, nothing is off the table this season.

I wonder where they got that from.

He's been bought to play centre back but I don't think we should underestimate his versatility especially as we seem to always be moments away from an injury crisis.

The price was more than I'd expect it to be and I'm not sure he'd have been my first choice for £25-30M but he comes with a lot of experience in English football for a 22-year-old and he has great recovery pace which is something we badly need.

I think he's actually incredibly similar to Holgate as a footballer in many ways which is why I'm a little surprised we have bought him but, like Holgate, if he reaches his potential, then I think this fee will look like money well spent. And it seems he has the attitude to get wherever he sets his mind on.

Some reports now that the fee is closer to £20M, which makes me happier!

"Oh yes he's quality - He is a lot better as a CDM than a CB but with Don Carlo I think he will really push on"

So at least one Norwich fan says he can certainly play in midfield.

Reading what the journo's think he seems a good prospect. Reading that the Norwich fans say, and that seems to be reinforced. YouTube can be deceptive, but it's clear he has the lightning pace we desperately need at the back. It's also clear that he's not particularly tall, noted as 6'1".

The way I see it, we have two big centre-halves in Mina and Keane. Then we have two smaller ball players in Holgate and Godfrey. It should be Mina or Keane playing with Holgate or Godfrey. I fear Holgate might be out for a while, and whilst he is not injury prone, a quick look at his record shows he picks up niggles. Probably as a result of his combativeness and determination. So, Godfrey is certainly needed. You only have to look at Nkounkou being on the bench as the only fit defender in the last game and Davies having to play right back when Coleman limped off.

Thank you again Morshiri and friends, for rebuilding Everton into a giant club again.

If anywhere near good as Jags in his prime, then we are all set for a very reliable defensive addition for 10 years. Welcome to joining at the right time... now serious annual title challengers and soon Champions League participants, in this new decade.

The Everton Decade. Enjoy the ride.

He's got the experience at a young age in the Premier League. When Holgate and Branthwaite are sorted, we will have a fine set of centrebacks for current and for future.

Happy to have him onboard.

I live in Norwich and the consensus here seems to be that Godfrey is class, and very comfortable in either midfield or centre half. I can't really comment directly (as such) since I haven't really seen a great deal of him other than a few games last season.

Either way (and I don't dispute what you're saying) it seems Godfrey is a very good footballer, and what we need is good footballers, rather than mere stoppers - if you see what I mean.

What gets me excited is we now have two players, Godfrey & Holgate, who can play centre-back, right-back & defensive midfield, plus Digne who looks comfortable at centre-back with Nkounkou providing cover.

So essentially you can call this both strength in depth as well as providing cover for different positions. That's two birds in one stone, kind of!!!

Also, I need to mention here that I read it somewhere (dunno whether it was on ToffeeWeb or the Guardian) about Tom, that sitting in the bench and observing Allan & James play, might not be something bad after all, since he never would have had a chance to observe such class from such close quarters. It might actually rub him the right way (It has actually) and we could possibly have a new player in our hands too!!!

He and Gordon have the right mentality too in a way that they approached Carlo to know whether they were part of his plans or not & the way Carlo responded might actually have been the most wonderful moment in their lives so far!!!

Talk of man-management...

So, for all the talk of Carlo bringing in older players past their sell-by dates, he has slowly but surely set our defense and defensive midfield for the next 10 to 12 years by the way things stand right now.

I'm trying to think of a footballer, and especially a defender, possessed of great speed as well as height.

The one seems to preclude the other. Unless anyone can think of any exceptions? (The valves in the old brain taking time to warm up today. It's what transfer day does to you.)

The squad we are building is starting to look damn strong, just a couple of areas now away from being a serious challenger.

Back up striker now Kean has gone, goalkeeper, and I still would like to see a blisteringly fast wide player but maybe that's being greedy.

I've heard one or two Norwich fans say that his positioning on crosses can be suspect. But he's only been a centre-back for two years or so and of course there is a lot of learning still to be done.

Mina and Keane have been pretty solid so far and Godfrey (or Holgate) will have to work hard to displace them. But being able to play a higher line could prove very useful.

And the time against Norwich in the cup I think when we came out for the second half with Stubbs lined up in midfield due to a re-shuffle. I think that lasted 10 minutes!!!

Welcome to Everton. Promising signing and in line with our policy of blending youth and potential with experience and proven class.

Not only is CA good at identifying the type of player he wants / needs, he is also clearly a master tactician.

With that in mind, he seems to be building a squad to meet all challenges.

Yesterday, against AV we saw what happens when a team has only one formation it plays to. Once someone "cracks it" it stays cracked.

This is where I think CA will keep us winning - he will send out his team and players to defeat whoever the opposition is, and that means that we don't ever only play to one style or system - we need to be flexible and to have the players capable of beating different teams with different styles of play.

That is the squad the CA and MB are building.

Talk of the title is just that at the moment, but I see your point: Inthinknthenresults at the weekend has shown that the league is still highly competitive where anyone can give you a hard game. People talk about Leicester being a freak title winner but they had a bloody good squad that year (Cambiasso was a squad player!) and a belief.

Every win now will make the media take notice of us just that little bit more (they are already starting to) If were still in this position in December then maybe just maybe I might start looking towards the impossible.

'Ben Godfrey's £25m move to Everton from Norwich is money well spent, according to data analysts Carteret.

The London-based company advises some Premier League clubs on investment and transfer targets, and uses data from players' performances to work out how much a player is worth to an iindividual club.

They say Godfrey, 22, has an Intrinsic Value of £41.29m to Everton, so a big hike on their investment.'

This was lifted from the BBC's live transfer deadline day feed. They are also doing a club-by-club listing of PL teams' ins and outs, asking readers to vote thumbs up for a good transfer window, thumbs down for a poor one.

Some clubs hover around 50-50, some clubs are in negative equity. Everton? As I write, the most overwhelmingly positive vote is for our transfer window: 10.1k positive, just 230 negative thumbs down (a few disgruntled pinkies, I imagine).

I also listened to the Norwich jouralist Steve Ferns referenced, saying that Godfrey was very angry with the reporter about mentioning him as a defensive midfielder, telling him don't raise that question again. I'm a centre back. That told us then.

One further note to add, sorry to disappoint anyone hoping Richarlison stood down from the Brazilian squad following his withdrawal v Brighton on Saturday. Hasn't happened. Just seen footage on the morning news here in Brazil of him arriving in the country and joining up with the national squad.

Welcome to the Best Club in the World Ben. Give us your all and you will be fine.

Eventually when sanity resumes we'll discover the correct fee.

It also reflects the management finally see this is our opportunity, and damn the financial consequences. It's naked ambition. We have money in a very depressed market, exactly why we are getting players for significantly less than advertised. Selling clubs need a cash injection.

He may not be the ‘best' around but he has the key attributes which we need to compliment our style of play. His speed will allow us to play a high line, it will allow a aerially dominant centre back to gamble and be aggressive knowing he has cover in behind.

He's very good with the ball, it will improve our ball speed which between Coleman, Mina & Keane isn't great. Having clever footballers who retain the ball is hugely important this side.

His height doesn't bother me as we should spend most of our games in the opposing half, he shouldn't have to head thousands of crosses away, he's in the side to defend counter-attacks. Height isn't as important in a zonal marking system because you in theory don't have to ‘out-jump' anyone just defend the space. I predict we will see him in the line up sooner than many think, you can only play Keane and Mina together before for so long before injury (Mina) or a quick forward isolates them, they are not the guys you want 1v1 in a counter attack.

His arrival takes the pressure off Holgate to rush his return. The more interesting question is; Who does he partner? Keane or Mina? Mina happened to have his best game in a blue shirt on Saturday, he also brings great energy to the team. However, Keane is more durable and has to my surprise stepped up! Mina will get injured, his record at Everton says he will, so Keane and Godfrey for me short term.

A very good signing!

However they seemed to feel £25m upwards was a fair deal for both parties so if we got him for £20m, it's good business, still more so if it was £10m. That I doubt, and I don't think Norwich fans will be told if it is, that might change their mood...

Tony #20, re height vs. pace, two years ago Zouma was listed as the 28th fastest player in the world, so that's one. Distin as previously mentioned was another, and Pique at 6'4" was, in his younger years (at his Pique if you will), considered one of the fastest players in La Liga.

A third factor of course is anticipation. if you can anticipate well, you don't need to be as fast. The great Bobby Moore was always seen as not the speediest, but he didn't need to be, given his anticipatory powers.

Maybe its because Ancelotti is focusing on not only top talent, but talent that wants to come here.

The more established we become as a viable club for players looking to compete the more choosy we can become instead of giving ex-Man Utd players a retirement home.

My only worry is that his skillset if so close to Holgate's. Not sure that they can both prosper long term at Everton. Survival of the fittest?

He does seem to be getting good reviews by people who watch more football than me like yourself and Norwich fans so that has to be a positive.

Who knows how Carlo will shuffle his pack, your right he may be too similar to Holgate but I'm glad that's a problem for Carlo, having too many aces??

I think it's going to be a hard, long season trying to stay in the top 4 which I think we should aspire to, and going as far as possible in both cups. that isn't blind optimism, I really believe we can achieve something this season.

In order, Billy I feel the same way except that I see it as a really smart move by Carlo & Marcel with the current squad that we are adding a player, notably with exceptional character but, that can multi-position and is fast.

And Sam, I understand what you are saying but there are some optional thoughts here. So well picked-up. My own view is that this whole 'mix' situation can depend on the various egos and characters of the proponents. I like the way the Carlo & Marcel association is building based on the character of the players to override the egos.

Not an easy balance but it is manageable, I think, from past amateur manager/coaching days (Money aside????)

Godfrey, 19, made six appearances for Norwich last season after signing from York City in January 2016.

"Norwich know the manager here (Paul Hurst) is going to help me develop, " he told Shrewsbury's club website.

"A lot of players disappear in the 23s system, so for me to come out here, prove myself and try to make a name for myself, it's a good opportunity. "

Godfrey, who can also play at centre-back and right-back, joins a Shrewsbury side that has won all three of their League One games so far this season.

Dennis#53

God forbid.

My favourite player: Ben Godfrey a class act on and off the pitch

Now I know Godfrey has a long way to go to match up to those names but not being the tallest isn't always a drawback and I don't think any of our 3 centre-backs are as quick as this guy is. I think it's a good signing for the longer term, but only time will tell.

I agree, but I think most managers would still want someone taller alongside.

I think Richard Gough was tall though, or he gave a good impression of a tall person. What a defender Gough was, what we could have had if we had got him earlier.

I was surprised he was loaned out, because I remember him playing along with Jarvis. Jarvis played a defensive left midfield position and Godfrey seems to be able to get into a similar positioning on the right. They really looked good.

That's when I remember Godfrey from. It seems Norwich were into having a young squad and were big into their development. This comes across in Godfrey's interviews at Shrewsbury. Another good player was Lewis who is now with Newcastle. The one thing about Norwich is they were a good footballing side.

I suppose they were into developing young players for sale and developing a young team for promotion into the Premier League shop window.

Gough was a quality defender and yes he never struck me as short but, as far as I can tell after looking into it, Gough and Godfrey are both six feet tall. Ideally you'd like centre-halves who are both good in the air and quick, but what you usually get is a wall and an interceptor or a stopper and a sweeper.

I think we've now got two of each with signing Godfrey and none of them are old. Should lead to some much-needed stability in front of our muppet keeper.

Can't wait to see those dirty redshites square up to him in the derby...!

Maybe it's because he played along famous shortarses like Strachan and Nevin for Scotland!!

I wish I was only 6ft tall, by the way!

For example, "Big" Neville Southall is the same height as "Little" Jordan Pickford, give or take half an inch. Peter Schmeichel was an absolute man-mountain, so I was surprised to see that he was "only" 6'-3".

I looked that up because I was surprised that Kasper Schmeichel was so "small" at 6'-2" when I thought his Dad was so big, but there's an inch between them. It's all relative I suppose.

Finally got a chance to read the article. I get the feeling that Godfrey will do well at Everton. He has the skill set and getting a transfer to Everton will boost his confidence.

Under Ancelotti, he will learm a lot and improve. He will be keen to learn and develop. That's the reason he was sought out by Ancelotti. Thank you for the link.

Godfrey Boxing Workout

If he is as quick in thought and with his feet as he is with his mitts, he'll do just fine!

Good page on the club site listing when and where all our players away on international duty will perform over the next week.

I'm certainly going to try and tune in to England U-21 v Andorra U-21 Wednesday 2pm UK time in which both Godfrey and Davies will probably feature. Hasn't Tom been skip for a number of recent fixtures for the U-21s?

Full list here:

When & Where Blues Are Playing During International Break

He is a beast of an athlete, the reports I have read that he has a great engine, 90 mins full-on, no problem. I can see him forcing his way into the starting line-up sooner rather than later, lad doesn't look like the bench-warming type.

Think this could be a brilliant acquisition we are all thinking Gabriel, Todibo, Adarabayo and others, then we find out (possibly) that Ben was the intended target all along.

Back to Ben Godfrey, only seen him once, he knows his football, I'd advise Keane and Mina to pay attention to him when he plays, I think they will both learn from him.

There is definitely going to be a marketing and video shoot opportunity between Ben and Tony Bellow somewhere done the line, surely.

A boxing workout has got to be good for his upper body and leg strength, as well as balance and eye coordination, I would have thought.

And is my memory playing me tricks, but weren't boxers often one of the fittest sportsmen in the Superstars series? I know John Conteh won it once. Am I right in saying John was a Blue?

Dave..? Anyone..?

Jimmy Hill was the precursor to VAR. I often swore at Jimmy Hill during his analysis of games I had attended. He was prone to trying to made something 10 passes back relevant to his analysis of an incident.

Luckily VAR didn't exist at that time and Jimmy Hill's analysis had no repercussions. Jimmy and VAR would have driven us all nuts. His facial features and seven o'clock shadow, as did his manner of talking, didn't help either.

Jimmy, I am sure, irritated managers and players alike. He rarely interviewed them since, in my view, the outcome could be unpredictable.

He is not the type of striker that chases loose ball or play deep and collect the ball and bring to the box to shoot.

He's the type that waits and poaches the ball when it comes into the box but he has a lethal strike.

The trouble is he is not getting much service when he was playing and he had very few opportunities to show his ability as a finisher.

He sucks at collecting the ball from deep, holding the ball and bringing the ball to advancing team mates.

But I believe he can finish and he can poach. With the new system, we will see a new Tosun.

I know he was absolutely crap at singing. He was on a chat show and got up to give a rendition of “My Way”...

If it had been a boxing match, they'd have stopped it, to save the song from further punishment.

I am not sure of John Conteh's football affiliation. However, the last I heard (2017) he was living around the corner from me here in Northwood (although I have never seen him).

For self-evident reasons, I would not wish to attribute his support to a team and it then become known that I'd got it wrong.

For reasons of enlightened self-interest, if anyone out there does know, it could be very useful information.

Can Everton's Thierry Small win our Wonderkids series?

Looks like a really talented player of the future. Checked on the website and there are highlights of the last U18s game where he scores 2 goals including the winner in the 92nd minute.

2 good young left backs going to be pushing Digne for a spot. Bodes well.

Quite a few years back, I went to a sportsmen's evening in St Helens and the guest speaker was Alan Minter. When the dinner was over there was only 3 of us left in the club Alan me and a friend. The barmen kept the bar open and the 3 of us were still drinking at 1:30, Alan was great company with some great stories.

I remember him talking about his fight with Marvin Hagler, he said he hit Hagler with everything including the kitchen sink but he just couldn't stop Hagler coming forward. Alan reckoned Hagler was by a large margin the best fighter he had ever fought.

Thanks for that. I'd actually forgotten that there is a Northwood near Liverpool. This is Northwood in Middlesex on the Met line, half way between Harrow and Watford.

I still need to know the affiliation though. Imagine the effect of calling out: "Great set of results last weekend" or using the line I saw on Twitter, where someone wrote to the police asking what they should do given that the neighbours had just let in more than six.

I wasn't even sure if John was still alive. Didn't he have serious battles with the bottle after he quit boxing?