Godfrey included in provisional England squad

He has to be the benchmark for all future signings. Potential, pace, and the right attitude.

A team of 11 Ben Godfreys wouldn't give up like we had from March.

Bitter and paranoid Evertonian in me. Would rather he'd have missed out and not get drawn into the England setup!!

Congratulations Ben. Well deserved and good luck.

Ben thoroughly deserves his chance, and if it is not his turn in June, then it's only a matter of time. Let's just hope he is still playing in an Everton shirt.

Southgate seems to value the journey through the various under age England teams into the international set up. The likes of DCL and Ward Prowse have forged that path. Ings did also, but after 2015, he had injuries etc sort of dropped off the map for a few years, so I think he has suffered a bit with that continuity being broken. He's also 29 now, and considering none of DCL, Watkins or Ings are likely to start, I imagine he's seeing participation as part of the development of the younger duo, whereas Ings is already at his peak.

England have an exciting group of young players, but I do not doubt that Southgate will revert to type and pick his big club favourites (like the out of form Raheem Sterling and the hit and miss Marcus Rashford) over any players with slightly smaller reputations and parent clubs, no matter what happens. I'd love to see him let Grealish off the leash and see what happens, but I think Southgate is just too rigid and timid for that.

Congrats Ben...I really hope you make the final cut,you deserve your chance to shine on the international stage.

Chance are he may not be in the final squad. It may come down to who will still be fully fit after the Euro finals.

Keane is unlucky as he has improved after a shaky start and DCL has done well too.

Frankly though it's hard to see England progressing beyond the Semis.

Doubt he'll make the final cut but hope he takes some satisfaction from his obvious progress. Well done.

Keane was culpable in Keane's omission from the squad.

Hes not very good.

His only daving grace is he is a good header of the ball and can pass long.

How many mistakes at the back has he been involved in.

No wonder Southgate binned him. We should be doing the same.

In the meantime congrats to young Ben a real up and coming defender.

Reward for solid performances and his versatility, speed and aggression.

I think the interesting thing will be which position he ends up playing. Myself, I see him as a right-back who can also comfortably play in a three, as opposed to a classic centre-back.

In many ways, he is a similar player to Kyle Walker. Quick, aggressive but will end up being a better defender. I think Southgate sees him as his natural successor.

W13 D5 L4. 7 clean sheets.

Sucks for Keane, but his form dipped down the stretch and Godfrey's a better, more versatile player.

Watching Holgate's decline has been one of the most painful aspects of this season, with the Man City game being the nadir. His half-hearted attempts to get back into position, or to make himself available to receive the ball when a team-mate was in possession, smacked of someone who is more than happy to go through the motions and pass the buck.

With the right attitude, then I think he could be an excellent Premier League central defender, but lately he looks more like a shirker of responsibility than a leader – whereas Godfrey looks a colossus by comparison.

Keane is not good enough for England or Everton as next season we need to play a higher line. Get the defence up and the midfield closer to the strikers. Keane can't play in that system so we need to sell him.

If he keeps improving as he is, and we as a team don't...

Somehow he's remained and not been taken by one of the "Bigger" teams. Unusual.

Personally, I'd buy another centre-back, Koulibaly is a good shout but I'd play him in a three with Mina, or at right-back in a four.

I also think Mina is our best centre-back but I don't think his body can stand an entire season.

And you wouldn't have to spend silly money.

Selfishly I would rather he had slipped under the the radar for this one, his first season with us, he's had a long hard one both emotionally and physically. A fully rested Ben Godfrey with all the confidence he's gained this season will be spectacular next season.

Anyway let's hope he has a good tournemant.

You do realise it is possible they could both be good players.

Fofana had played less than 20 games of top flight football when he was signed so he was a definite punt at the cost. Sure he’s another that has had a good season and we’ll see how good he turns out.

Any transfer policy is going to be a balance of potential and proven ability. I think Dunk is the right type especially when it appears the team is crying out for some leadership

He chopped and changed the centre-backs because Keane and Holgate kept playing badly.

Keane seems like a nice lad, he's very good on his day, but he's not good enough or consistent enough.

Graham #38, great post. I had the impression that we were at our most successful with Mina in there, but I didn't confirm it with research, and you did. Well in.

Jay #33, he's no donkey. He had an outstanding season, marred by a couple of clangers and the City blunder. He was our most consistent CB this season, and he had to be with Mina having injury problems and Holgate having brain problems.

Well I’m not sure I’d agree he’s not good enough. I would argue what we are really short of is on field leadership. The type of player who doesn’t shrink when the going gets tough and can inspire those around him.

Of course quality is essential and we definitely need more of that but we also need more toughness. Every time I’ve seen Dunk I’ve seen that in him.

Got to disagree. We have undoubtedly bought some turkeys domestically Walcott, Iwobi, Bolasie spring to mind but our record abroad is even worse. Besic, Ramires, Klaasen, Tosun etc.

For me it comes down to the type of player. I’m not sure any of the above would be described as having much backbone. That’s the type of player we need. I’d even take Ramos for a year, sometimes you need to change the culture of a side not just the playing style.

If his enthusiasm and effort could be cloned into the Everton squad, the team would always have a chance in trying to win the match.

Let’s see if he makes the final cut.

Michael Keane will never be Ruud Krol, and can have no complaints what so ever, in not making the squad.

He should have been player of the season for me. DCL player of the season. Just wow.

Tireless competitor.

Congrats to him, he's earned this call up.

Graham, a back 3 of Godfrey, Mina and Koulibaly is a great shout in my opinion.

I just suspect if we sign a centre back (and I think we need to), then we sell one. Unfortunately I think the only one we get a good return on is Mina, who I would keep over Keane given the choice.

As for Holgate, fella shouldn't be anywhere near the Everton team next season let alone England, he's 25 but still plays the game likes a wet behind the ears kid.

Congratulations Ben Godfrey, most athletic Everton defender since Joleon Lescott and Sylvain Distin.