Godfrey had faith in Farke’s vision to convert him to a defender for City
Ben Godfrey celebrated with the Championship trophy after Norwich City's victory at Aston Villa Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Ben Godfrey is relieved he trusted Daniel Farke’s judgement, after becoming a title-winning defender.
The 21-year-old returned from a season on loan as a powerful defensive midfielder in League One with Shrewsbury but was converted to a centre-back by City's head coach.
"At the time I was thinking I was a midfielder in my head but at the end of the day, he is where he is for a reason, I trust his opinion," Godfrey said of Farke's influence.
"If he thinks I can kick on better as a central defender then so be it because obviously I'm trying to go as far as I can in this game.
"So I trust his opinion, which you have to do and it turns out he's right, my attributes have turned out pretty well at centre-back.
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"I'll back myself to play midfield anyway but centre-back is definitely a position I have loved playing, loved learning and kicking on with."
Godfrey came into the team in December because of injuries but then started each of the remaining 26 matches of the season, playing a key role in the Canaries winning the Championship title - prompting transfer links to top-flight clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool.
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"I'm 21 so I've got loads to learn," he said of his development. "You make mistakes, you learn from them, you watch people.
"So I can't say how much I've got to learn but there are things that I've got to change and adapt to kick on to that next level and be ready for the Premier League."
That has meant the York City youth product has kept the experienced Timm Klose and Grant Hanley on the sidelines but the youngster says both have supported him throughout.
"They've been unbelievable while I've been playing and they haven't featured as much, they've seen all this and done it before," he added.
"Grant was playing Premier League when he was a ridiculously young age and Timm is an international who has played in the Prem as well.
"The opposition that I'll be playing against, they've seen them before and know the tricks they like to do. They've been so supportive and positive, as have loads of the lads who have not been playing much, but those two in particular I've been able to learn so much from without them being on the pitch."
