Ben Godfrey was one of the first newcomers to join Atalanta this summer, yet he has struggled to win over Gian Piero Gasperini. La Dea had a full-fledged defensive emergency against Inter, but the coach still didn’t field him.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the coach hasn’t liked what he has seen from the veteran in training and the summer friendlies. He was signed early to replace Giorgio Scalvini but has gotten just 22 minutes as a wingback so far. With Isak Hien and Sead Kolasinac also missing in the third round, the gaffer adapted Marten De Roon and Matteo Ruggeri to the position rather than deploying him.
Moreover, Atalanta added a talent in the back late in the window, Odilon Kossonou from Bayer Leverkusen, which further reduces the chances of Godfrey of being a regular. A quick departure can’t be ruled out, but the Orobici spent €12M and would have to recoup part of that. He signed a five-year contract.
It’s not the first time Gasperini hasn’t hit it off with a newcomer. Simon Kjaer lasted only a few months while on loan from Sevilla. Mitchell Bakker barely ever played after coming in from Bayer Leverkusen. He was eventually shipped off to Lille this summer.
Our Take on Atalanta and Godfrey
Sometimes it happens with a grumpy boss, and it’s probably not a coincidence that, besides Kossonou, they added all young and hungry players with previous Serie A experience in the most recent window. On the other hand, bailing on him quickly would come at a pretty hefty cost.
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