Everton are going through a difficult season once again and no one knows what direction the club is heading into.
For the third season in a row, the Toffees find themselves in a tough battle for survival. Even if they survive for another season, they might have to sell some of their assets to stay healthy financially.
Jordan Pickford and Amadou Onana are some of the players who can bring loads of money to the club if they are sold, and Jarrad Branthwaite is quickly falling into that category.
The 21-year-old has been enjoying a terrific season and scored a spectacular goal against Brighton on Saturday at the Amex Stadium as the Toffees earned a 1-1 draw.
Micah Richards hailed him on BBC Match of the Day as a “magnificent” player and now Ian Wright has waxed lyrical about the youngster, saying Everton have a “monster” in their ranks.
Branthwaite was deemed surplus to requirements to Frank Lampard who sent him on loan to PSV Eindhoven. Sean Dyche didn’t hesitate to draft him straight into the starting line-up, and since then, he has been terrific for the Toffees.
Wright says that Branthwaite should be picked by Gareth Southgate for the England national side for the Euros. He thinks that Branthwaite “has got everything” and said on Wright’s House podcast:
“I would like to give flowers to Jarrad Branthwaite. I believe now he will be in the next England squad. He has got everything. You watch how he plays, left-sided as well, he plays out well.
“Very brave. And then when you listen to his interview he sounds like somebody who is like yeah, I’m there, I’m here. He should be called up.
“And not only that, he should be played. Let’s have a look at him. I’m telling you we have a monster on our hands at left-sided centre-half. A monster.”
Branthwaite – shining light for Everton
Everton are yet to win a game in 2024 and they find themselves just above the drop zone.
Branthwaite has made 23 starts in the Premier League and scored two goals. His excellent form hasn’t gone unnoticed and there are suggestions that top clubs across Europe will try their luck to sign him.
The likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are among clubs who could be interested in signing the Toffees defender. According to inews, Everton have slapped a massive £100m, which would be a record transfer for a defender, if any potential club want to take him.
Gareth Southgate assured everyone when he took charge that he would pick players based on form, but that hasn’t happened always. He has been very loyal to some of the players who haven’t done enough at club levels in recent months, such as Kalvin Phillips.
Branthwaite is inexperienced but he should be there in the team purely based on form. The youngster has hardly put any foot wrong, and he deserves to be in the same team as Pickford for the Euro 2024 squad.
