News about Ben Godfrey

MATT BARLOW: Atalanta are one of the success stories of the last decade. Gatecrashing Italy's elite and refusing to go away, rewarded for their novel approach of keeping faith in the manager, then rebuilding the team with smart recruitment and forging on to win their first trophy since the 1960s. Liverpool will not need a reminder, having been swept aside in the Europa League quarter-finals. Once in the final, the club from Bergamo became the only side to beat Bayer Leverkusen last season. On Thursday, they begin their fourth Champions League campaign in six years against Arsenal. The secret? 'A small club run well from the top, simple and joined-up,' according to Lee Congerton, who spent nearly two years leading Atalanta's recruitment with chief executive Luca Percassi before leaving for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia in March.

LEWIS STEELE: This is a mistreated club where time has stood still - certainly off the pitch with a carousel of chaos at board level in recent years - but one for whom a brighter future awaits on the horizon. On this particular morning there are blue skies but, still, gloomy clouds often congregate above the stunning new docklands stadium. While there are green shoots of positivity - which we will come on to - Everton are still the Premier League's most uncertain club.

Atalanta have completed the signing of Everton defender Ben Godfrey for an undisclosed fee.  The Italians opening offer of £8.5m for the 26-year-old was dismissed by Everton but Atalanta returned with a second bid in excess of £10m.  Lyon and AC Milan had also made proposals for Godfrey who had one year left on contract. Godfrey joined from Norwich for £25m in 2020 and saw a January move to Atalanta fall through.

SIMON JONES: Everton are finalising terms with Atalanta for the sale of defender Ben Godfrey after talks on Thursday. The Italians opening offer for the 26-year-old of £8.5m was dismissed by Everton but Atalanta have returned with a bid in excess of £10m though the final figure will be undisclosed. Lyon and AC Milan had also made proposals for Godfrey who had one year left on contract. Godfrey joined from Norwich for £25m in 2020 and saw a January move to Atalanta fall through.

Rio and Kate Ferdinand shared an insight into his son Lorenz's lavish 18th birthday party on Instagram on Thursday.  The former England footballer and ex TOWIE star looked happier than ever as they hit the dance floor during the boozy bash.  Lorenz was treated to personalised cocktails during the evening as he celebrated with friends and family. 

Veteran BBC Nick Owen broke down on air as he discussed his cancer battle with colleagues and received a touching message from his son. Paying tribute to work that saw the 76-year-old awarded an MBE earlier this year,  BBC Midlands Today colleague Ben Godfrey read out a selection of messages that caused Mr Owen to well up. A message from bereavement charity Edward's Trust said: 'He's become part of our family. He's always found time to support us in our work His MBE is well deserved.' Another read: 'I got tested myself after his illness and was diagnosed late last year with prostate cancer. So far, it looks like early detection has paid off.' Nick's own son, Tim, said 'Very proud of you Dad', as the TV stalwart stifled sobs.

Rio Ferdinand 's eldest son Lorenz has signed with New Era Global Sports Management, joining his dad and uncle Anton at the agency. The 17-year-old signed with Brighton as their Under-18s goalkeeper in 2022 and has made 18 appearances for the Seagulls' junior squad this term. New Era's current Premier League clients include Everton defenders Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane as well as Jacob Murphy. In addition to current stars, the agency also represents the interests of Ferdinand, Mick McCarthy, Harry Redknapp and Robbie Savage.

Struggling Everton will be looking for their second victory against Newcastle this season as they head to St James' Park on Tuesday night. The Toffees are on a torrid run of form after losing in their last nine games in all competitions. They are just three points away from falling into the relegation zone. Newcastle, meanwhile, bounced back from consecutive defeats with a dramatic late victory over West Ham on the weekend. Despite that Newcastle now have one of the worst injury lists in the Premier League, Jamaal Lascelles and Tino Livramento sustained injuries during Saturday's triumph.

United strolled to a 2-0 victory over the Toffees on Saturday afternoon, with Fernandes and Rashford both on the score sheet for the hosts at Old Trafford. The Red Devils were still far from their best, but boss Erik ten Hag was content for his team to win as they began their search for a Champions League spot coming near the end of the season. After James Tarkowski fouled Alejandro Garnacho, Fernandes scored their first penalty of the game, they appeared to step up when Ben Godfrey brought down the Argentine just minutes later.

SIMON JONES: Ben Godfrey, a loan defender for Leeds United, is a loan target for the club, but he is set to move abroad. Due to Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski's form, the 26-year-old, who has two caps for England, has been on Everton's first team this season. However, Michael Keane's departure leaves Everton as the only recognised centre-back cover.

MATT HUGHES: Everton's aspirations of securing new contracts for Ben Godfrey and Dominic Calvert-Lewin this month have been put on hold due to delays surrounding the upcoming acquisition of 777 Partners. Both England internationals have completed the last 18 months of their existing contracts, leaving Everton with the option of either negotiating new contracts or selling them at the end of the season. With seven players' contracts ending this summer, Everton's squad may be very different next season, in addition to Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin five others.

Simon Jones of Mail Sport gives us a detailed rundown of who players each of the Premier League clubs should expect to bring in this January. So many actors could be on their way out during next month's transfer window as well as the actresses who may be on their way out.

Everton will decide on relegation at home to Bournemouth without striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (centre) and defenders Nathan Patterson (left) and Ben Godfrey (right). The Toffees are currently sits two points above the drop zone, and their destiny is in their own hands as they look to extend their stay in the top flight into a 70th season. Leicester and Leeds will be hoping they don't get knocked up. Sean Dyche (inset) said: 'They won't be fit to play' on his wounded trio.' We haven't seen Dom for two-thirds of my time here.'

Everton boss Sean Dyche hopes that captain Seamus Coleman's return will provide him with the much-needed leadership to his relegation-threatened side. With a hamstring injury, the Republic of Ireland international has missed the last three games, conceded seven times, and even in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace seemed overexposed at right-back. Coleman is expected to return to the team and strengthen a flank on which stand-ins Mason Holgate, who was suspended for two yellow cards at Selhurst Park, and Ben Godfrey's appearance are apparent out of place. The 34-year-old is also the most flexible option of the three others in terms of being able to swap in attacks, but it is his knowledge that could be the most valuable as they enter a must-win game against fellow insurgents Leicester.

Manchester City has confirmed that they are on target to win their third consecutive Premier League title and displaying the gulf in class between them and the rest of the league after the thrashing new boss's Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad on Wednesday. The title race is heating up, so who makes it into our top 10 power rankings after the latest round of Premier League fixtures? This week, Mail Sport delves into the top performers from around the country.

Fans took to Twitter to praise Newcastle's fourth goal in the Magpies' thrashing of Everton on Thursday night. Alexander Isak's miraculous dribbling to set up Newcastle's fourth goal in the Magpies' thrashing of Everton. Despite a solid showing in his team's victory over Tottenham on Sunday, the Sweden international was on the bench seven minutes before the match and scythed through the Everton midfield just seconds after the home team had scored. Isak danced past a number of blue-shirted defenders to reach the goal line before skirting past Ben Godfrey and streaking into the box from the left, picking up the ball just over the halfway line.

Erik ten Hag has urged Antony to produce more Premier League goals, but insists that the £85 million Brazilian is capable of 'killing' opponents. The 23-year-old winger hasn't scored a league goal since October, and he still hasn't registered a single assist in the league. Ten Hag defended the player who so desperately wanted to sign from Ajax last summer against Barcelona and Real Betis, but not in a defense of him.

ADRIAN KAJUMBA AT STAMFORD BRIIDGE: ADRIAN KAJUMBA, a.k.a.a. As he stood in his technical field, Potter nonchalantly leant forward Tom Leary let it fall and back-heel volleyed the ball into play. Chelsea were deservedly 1-0 up at the time, thanks to a superb strike by Joao Felix, who also displayed some fancy footwork at Stamford Bridge. If there is one thing Potter has learned in this occupation is that Chelsea are still not in a situation where too much can be taken for granted.

Seamus Coleman feared the question, but the scene outside him in Goodison Park's tunnel encouraged it. He was picked on the shoulder by Nathan Paterson, who was heading home, as Everton's captain spoke with genuine candour. Ben Godfrey, who had just completed a taxing warm down, was walking in the opposite direction at the same time. Mason Holgate was leaning against a wall and watching on. Paterson, who is recovering from an ankle injury, Godfrey, and Holgate might all be Everton's right-back in the future, but the fact is that no one will do what Coleman does for a team that continues to fight for its life. However, what made this little story all the more remarkable was the suggestion that Paterson, Godfrey, and Holgate were all schoolboys in 2009, when Coleman was recruited from Sligo Rovers by David Moyes for £60,000 to kick off his Everton career.

Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk recorded a new fastest sprint speed in the Premier League this season on his debut against Liverpool, but the overall record belongs to a central back. The new £88 million winger's top seed of 22.76mph makes him his fifth best overall since the 2020-21 season.

Ben Godfrey, a defender for Everton, believes that the Toffees must imitate the fighting spirit they displayed against Manchester City in Tuesday's match against Brighton. Frank Lampard's men, who are a point above the Premier League's relegation zone in 16th place, ended a string of three consecutive losses by holding champions City to a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium on New Year's Eve. The players are back in Goodison Park today to face 10th-placed Brighton for the first time since losing 2-1 to Wolves on Boxing Day thanks to a stoppage-time Rayan Ait-Nouri goal.

Although Manchester City was left wondering the price of more dropped points, Demarai Gray said that Everton's witty display would be a platform to keep them safe from a relegation scrape. Gray said that the feisty encounter, which featured seven yellow cards, was something the Toffees had wished for in an attempt to make life difficult for the Premier League champions. City were stumbling by hefty Everton challenges, with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland particularly impressive at the back. Frank Lampard's team only managed one shot on target, but Gray's effort moved beyond Ederson and now has some traction after a Boxing Day sucker punch dealt by Wolves.

In a tumultuous 1-1 draw against Everton, Pep Guardiola confessed he had to warn Erling Haaland not to be sent off. Vitaliy Mykolenko was booked for a lunge midway through the first half after being spotted by Ben Godfrey and then leaving James Tarkowski with a flailing arm as he shielded the ball. Guardiola would not specifically criticize referee Andy Madley, but it did seem that the city had come to understand that their players were not covered.

Everton was dealt a major setback after fullback Nathan Patterson was stretchered off during Scotland's Nations League match on Sunday night. The 20-year-old defender has burst into Frank Lampard's starting eleven this year and has been one of Toffee's most consistent players, playing every minute possible in their first seven games. However, after Scotland manager Steve Clarke said that the injury 'doesn't look too promising,' he could now be set for a lengthy spell on the sideline.'