Ben Godfrey opens up on “difficult period” behind Sheffield United departure after "all due respect" admission
Ben Godfrey opens up on “difficult period” behind Sheffield United departure after "all due respect" admission
Ben Godfrey has opened up on the personal struggles that saw his time at Sheffield United cut short earlier this season, after a bit-part spell on the sidelines at Ipswich Town last season. The defender arrived at Bramall Lane in the summer after a protracted loan spell from Atalanta.
But the move didn’t work out for any party, with the former Everton man making just four appearances for United in his half-season spell before he returned to Atalanta in January. His last appearance for United was in Chris Wilder’s return game back in September, with his ongoing absence described as being down to “personal issues.”
Ben Godfrey opens up on “difficult period” behind Sheffield United departure after "all due respect" admission
Godfrey only made three league appearances on loan at Portman Road last term but that didn’t prevent another club taking a punt on him, with Brondby boss Steve Cooper bringing him to Denmark.
Now, in an interview with Bild, Godfrey has opened up on his struggles over the last few years. “I was a bit off course when it came to playing time,” he said. “It was a period when some personal things were perhaps a bit different for me, and that happens sometimes in life.
“And then I think that the players in my position were guaranteed playing time for the rest of the season. We had an open and honest conversation, and all due respect to Sheffield United for that. They made it clear that I would no longer be part of their plans for the rest of the season.
“It was obviously a difficult period in my career. But also, on a wider level. It’s not always just about football. You never know what problems other people are going through. There will always be ups and downs. Maybe the last few years, or 2025, have been a period where I had to reflect, learn or where circumstances did not work optimally for me.”