Everton have already been hot on the recruitment drive this summer, but could not have welcomed the three new faces they had done without a few departures.
In fact, over the last few years, plenty of sales have had to be made in order to either fund their transfers or just keep the club afloat.
In a gross display of the latter, it was particularly damaging to see Richarlison and Anthony Gordon both shipped off in back-to-back windows, with neither really being replaced in the market.
However, this summer marks a slight shift in direction, as whilst the Toffees are still selling, the alternatives they are finding are arguably improving the squad rather than just keeping it alive.
Carlo Ancelotti advises player to leave Everton
However, one of those recent departures in particular was actually a pretty useful member of Sean Dyche’s squad, having pulled him out of a few tricky situations last season across his 15 Premier League appearances.
But, tempted with an offer to go abroad this summer, Ben Godfrey decided that now was the perfect time to depart.
The manner of his exit seemed rather simple. Atalanta came in, Kevin Thelwell snagged £10m for his services, and off he went.
But now, speaking to Tuttosport, the 26-year-old has revealed that it was Carlo Ancelotti who convinced him to leave the club, as he relayed the advice given: ‘Carlo Ancelotti was one of the first I contacted once I heard about Atalanta’s interest and he immediately advised me to go there. I spent a short time with him, he’s a great coach and a great person.
‘We’ll see each other again on August 14 in Warsaw for the European Super Cup. Marking Kylian Mbappé would be a great challenge but if you’re to improve, you have to face the best.
‘Atalanta is a fantastic club and it was right to come. Gian Piero Gasperini’s style manages to develop and grow many players.’
Ben Godfrey was always open to an Everton exit, so how much the Italian’s comments pushed him out the exit door is likely negligible.
Ben Godfrey deserves to go and thrive outside of Everton
Having joined the Toffees in 2020 under Ancelotti, a deadline-day signing to cap off a remarkable summer of revolution, his acquisition actually went under the radar.
Unsurprising, given James Rodriguez’s welcome had justifiably dominated headlines.
But, that season the former Norwich City defender would prove himself invaluable all across the backline, although such versatility eventually became the very thing that would halt his progression.
Under every failed leadership that followed, and even Dyche’s, he was never a mainstay, but always the next in line.
He filled in at both full-back roles and in centre-back sparingly, with a stint in midfield further emulating his importance, but his lack of stability in one position.
Godfrey was a really useful player for Everton, but he deserves to move and further his career where he will be afforded the opportunity to actually succeed in a position of his choosing rather than his manager’s.
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