According to a recent report by Football Insider, Liverpool are monitoring the progress of Norwich City centre-half Ben Godfrey ahead of a potential £10m move during the summer transfer period. The same source has also revealed that the Reds chiefs have been impressed by the English defender’s performances this season which has helped the Canaries climb to the top of the EFL Championship standings.
The English prospect came through the youth ranks of York before sealing a move to Carrow Road at the start of 2016. Since making that switch, Godfrey has gradually managed to improve his performances and is currently one of the first names in Daniel Farke’s team sheet.
Norwich are in with a great chance of clinching the league title at the end of this campaign, and there is no doubt that Godfrey has played an integral role for them thus far. The York-born talent has featured in 27 matches for the Norfolk outfit this term and has two goals and two assists to his name across all competitions.
More importantly, the 21-year-old has made an average of 1.1 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 3.7 clearances per match in the second tier of English football (Stats taken from Whoscored).
The England Under-20 international primarily operates as a centre-back but is equally capable of filling in as a defensive midfielder if required. Godfrey can read the game well and has shown a lot of maturity at the back during this campaign. He has decent pace and is physically strong which helps him win a lot of aerial duels.
However, he is far from a finished product so one can argue whether he will add anything to the Liverpool squad. Godfrey is an excellent prospect in the Championship, but the jury is still out on whether he can prove his worth in the Premier League.
At 21, he is destined for a very bright future ahead in English football, but it would be a considerable risk for the Reds to sign him this summer. The likes of Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are far better suited to lineup alongside Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of Klopp’s defence.
Hence, Liverpool are better of monitoring his progress from a distance. The Merseyside outfit should not make a move unless they are convinced that Godfrey is ready to take up the challenge of playing in the English top-flight every week.
