Player who Everton sold this summer has already been ‘rejected’ by new manager and could leave in January

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Everton have still enjoyed a really good summer window, even if their start to the season does not quite show it.

After all, they strengthened all across the board, even if Sean Dyche is somewhat reluctant to throw these new faces into the side.

However, these transfers did not come without sacrifice, as Kevin Thelwell worked hard to ensure that improving the squad did not come at a PSR-related cost.

Sustainability is his number one goal now, and thus the likes of Amadou Onana, Lewis Dobbin, Ben Godfrey, Neal Maupay and Mason Holgate have all departed in order to fund any incomings.

And yet, despite the quality that has been sold, already one could be on the move again after a nightmare start to life at his new club.

Ben Godfrey could already leave Atalanta

That is at least what is being reported by Italian outlet TuttoAtalanta, who have detailed Atalanta’s displeasure with their new signing’s early performances.

Ben Godfrey left Goodison Park for just £10m, in what was largely seen as good business for the 26-year-old, fetching a solid sum whilst allowing him to hopefully go on and thrive elsewhere.

Having seen Chris Smalling, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham all move to Serie A in recent years and enjoy success, the former Norwich City man was likely delighted at the chance to reignite his career. And yet, it already seems like his future is once again uncertain.

The report states that he has ‘already failed’ in Bergamo, and has shockingly been ‘rejected’ by manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Branded a ‘flop’, it’s said that January might even see him moved on already.

Should Everton have kept Ben Godfrey?

With Everton’s defence leaking goals due to the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, and Dyche having been left with no cover at full-backs, it’s worth questioning whether the Toffees might have benefited from keeping Godfrey around for another season and perhaps trying harder to move Michael Keane on instead.

After all, against AFC Bournemouth in particular, the lack of speed within the backline was alarming, and arguably cost them the win.

Seamus Coleman, Keane, James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko were left brutally exposed by their sluggishness, and had Godfrey been in the defence, things might have been different.

It’s also worth noting that Tarkowski is performing visibly worse when partnered with a slower partner rather than the physical and pacy Branthwaite.

For all his struggles in Italy, Everton are actually missing Godfrey, ironically.