The only place Ben Godfrey looks to be heading is Norwich City's first team.
Daniel Farke must now weigh up whether that is this coming season in the Championship or down the line, but the head coach revealed yesterday on the final day of City's German tour that Godfrey is 'an important part of my plans'.
The 20-year-old is being touted with a new Carrow Road deal in some quarters, after an eye-catching season-long loan stint at Shrewsbury Town.
But the youngster's work in City colours this summer appears to be more impressive for Farke, as he decides the next step.
'Yes, we have a similar decision to make perhaps this summer but pre-season was so important for him,' said the head coach. 'It is one thing to go away and have a good season on loan in League One but another to be involved to the same degree in the Championship.
'He had to show himself full of self confidence and competitive in pre-season and I think he has shown this.
'It was important for me to see him in different positions. He had one or two good performances in the holding midfielder positions, which perhaps is the position we associate him with, but I was also pretty, pretty pleased with him in the central defensive position against FC Union Berlin.
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'He played 90 minutes at centre back and it is vital he can play in this position because physically he can win his battles in the air, he is cool with the ball at his feet and competitive in the duels. He is always awake in tactical things.
'I think it is a position that could suit him in our squad.'
Godfey was linked with the likes of West Brom and Crystal Palace earlier this summer, although there is believed to have been no firm interest in the former York trainee.
The powerhouse is under contract at City until at least 2021, after signing a new longer term deal 12 months ago, but Farke admits the battle for defensive midfield places is a hot spot in his current roster.
'Let's be honest, the holding midfielder in our squad there is a lot of competition, with Tom Trybull, Moritz Leitner, Alex Tettey, Mario Vrancic, when he is back, Louis Thompson,' said Farke.
'For me, it is impressive that he can show he can play in the central defence or as a three. Ben is important for my plans.'
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