Everton have reportedly prompted a moment of introspection at Tottenham Hotspur, with Jose Mourinho’s side launching an inquiry as to why they did not push hard enough to sign Ben Godfrey.
According to Football Insider, an inquest is being held internally over the failure to secure the promising ex-Norwich City defender, who eventually joined Everton for an initial £25 million.
Godfrey, who has also featured at both full-back roles this season, is increasingly cementing his place as a mainstay of Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton plans and is consequentially impressing again in the Premier League.
A recruitment source told Football Insider that Godfrey ‘had been on Spurs’ radar for a long time’ before his eventual move to Everton, with Spurs making enquiries with Norwich as far back as December 2019.
Contrastingly, Fulham are reported to have been the next-biggest suitor in for Godfrey at the time Everton made their moves to acquire the defender.
That has prompted questions from senior Spurs officials over why the club did not capitalise on the groundwork they laid to sign a home-grown defender that looked destined to remain as a top Premier League prospect.
Read Everton Verdict
The inquest at Spurs is one of the most bizarre yet complimentary developments that Marcel Brands and his recruitment team at Everton could have prompted.
Securing Godfrey amid heavy domestic interest is a testament to the tenacity and attractiveness of the developing project at Everton – with Ancelotti reaping rewards ahead of a fellow rival for the top European spots.
