I’m two-cap England star who spent a year learning Spanish to prepare for big transfer… then ended up in Italy

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I’m two-cap England star who spent a year learning Spanish to prepare for big transfer… then ended up in Italy
Author: Henry Tomlinson
Published: Jan, 16 2025 06:30

BEN GODFREY spent ages learning Spanish to prepare for his big move abroad — and ended up in Italy. Yet Serie A did not go quite as planned for defender Godfrey, who was 27 yesterday. Now his goal is to help Ipswich stay up — and get back in the England fold if possible.

 [Ben Godfrey of Atalanta BC arriving at the airport.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Ben Godfrey of Atalanta BC arriving at the airport.]

Ahead of Brighton’s visit tonight, on-loan Atalanta centre-back Godfrey said: “I learned Spanish for over a year but then ended up in Italy having to start again. “Although I enjoy learning languages, it was a part of the move I looked forward to.

 [Ben Godfrey of Atalanta putting on a bib during the UEFA Super Cup.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Ben Godfrey of Atalanta putting on a bib during the UEFA Super Cup.]

“I speak Italian quite well now but it is always hard moving your family to a different country and adapting. “Straight after training, I was in lessons and there were also tactical things that needed translating for me, which was difficult. “The first week or two, when the manager was speaking, I could understand absolutely zero.”.

 [Ben Godfrey of Ipswich Town applauding.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Ben Godfrey of Ipswich Town applauding.]

Godfrey was a Carlo Ancelotti signing at Everton and he caught up with the Real Madrid boss earlier this season. Though a loan switch to the Champions League holders was never on the cards. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Godfrey joked: “Me and Ancelotti are still in touch but we are not that tight!”.

 [Ben Godfrey's Atalanta 2024-25 Serie A stats.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Ben Godfrey's Atalanta 2024-25 Serie A stats.]

Atalanta signed him from the Toffees for £10million last June but manager Gian Piero Gasperini hardly picked him. And Godfrey said: “I’m a very competitive person so when football got taken out of my life it was very difficult. “The last six months has highlighted that not everything every day can go your way.

Image Credit: The Sun

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