Three Reasons Why Branthwaite Should Stay At Everton

07/07/2024 06:00 AM

Big decisions this summer for in-demand defender

It has already been a busy time for Everton on the transfer front ahead of the club's final season at Goodison Park.

The Blues have seemingly already upset the Premier League by daring to sell Academy graduate Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa for the 'ridiculous' price of around £10m (how much did Rhian Brewster and Dominic Solanke go for again?), while promising young star Tim Iroegbunam arrived from the Villains and Jack Harrison was secured for a second loan spell on Merseyside.

Ben Godfrey then said goodbye to the Blues as he made the switch to Atalanta after three-and-a-half years at with the Toffees, before versatile forward Iliman Ndiaye arrived from Olympique Marseille for an undisclosed fee.

While the futures of Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also remain in doubt, a certain young centre-halve will probably top most Toffees' lists as players they desperately want to hold onto.

Jarrad Branthwaite has enjoyed a great season under Sean Dyche. After loan spells with both Blackburn Rovers and PSV, the former Carlisle man firmly established himself as first-choice in the heart of Everton's defence, forming an impressive partnership with James Tarkowski.

Making 35 appearances, scoring three goals, as well as scooping the Players' Player of the Season and Fans' Young Player of the Season awards and being named one of the club's Three Positives of the season by Royal Blue Mersey, it was inevitable that the 22-year-old, who also made his senior England bow this year, would be subject of some serious attention from outside admirers.

And while Manchester United - as well as the Premier League and a number of media outfits it seems - are outraged at Everton rejecting a bid they do not deem worthy of Branthwaite's worth (how dare they) it seems that the Toffees are sticking to their guns on this one.

Now, as Blues, we have to be pragmatic. Branthwaite is a talent that will go to the very top. Strong, tall, good on the ball, and a threat at set pieces, unless Everton have an incredible season in the 2024/25 campaign, it is likely that the Cumbian-born star will move on to pastures new.

Something that may still happen before this window shuts.

However, here are three reasons why Jarrad Branthwaite should give Goodison at least another 12 months of his time...

But, but he's only had one good season at this level!

And it's a fair point. While impressing at PSV, where he helped the Dutch giants lift the KNVB Cup, it must be acknowledged that the Eredivisie is not of the standard the Premier League is.

During the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, Branthwaite's lasting memory will be the red card prematurely that ended his involvement in a Goodison clash with Brentford, with some questioning whether the young defender was truly ready for the English big time.

But he quickly quashed the doubt to become a key cog in Dyche's defence and a darling on the terraces.

Something he will still be if he falls short in the coming season.

Everton fans have seen Branthwaite's rise. From rising Carlisle prospect to fully-capped international, his performances and attitude have endeared him to the Goodison faithful, who will be more accepting if 2024/25 isn't quite at the heights of the previous season.

Does a big money move to a new club allow that? Ask Francis Jeffers about that? There are many rival fans, who have now become experts on Everton and Branthwaite in particular, claiming he is both overrated and overpriced.

Curiously, those of a Red Manchester persuasion are still somewhat angered that the deal has not yet been done.

Funny that!

Let's make no mistake, Branthwaite is an exceptional talent who is drawing comparison to some of the game's greats, but this is also a 22-year-old still with a lot to learn.

Best the devil you know, Jarrad, which isn't down the East Lancs road!

Uncle Jimmy

I am old enough to Remember the 1994 World Cup, where a young defender by the name of Phil Babb was being heralded as the next big thing. An impressive display in the US saw London-born centre-half become the most expensive defender in England at the time when he completed a £3.6m move to Liverpool.

What many overlooked at the time was the former Coventry City being schooled and mentored by Paul McGrath. The former United and Aston Villa man perfectly combined his experience and uncanny ability to read the game with Babb's pace and athleticism.

And while I'm not comparing James Tarkowski to McGrath, the former Burnley man and Everton Vice Captain's influence on both Branthwaite and the team as a whole cannot be underestimated.

The very definition of consistency and dedication, the 31-year-old is a born leader when on the field, providing tackles and talking in equal measures.

His contribution to Branthwaite's rise is evident and the young defender would be wise to continue his learning alongside him.

It would p**s off the Premier League!

Ok, this is without doubt both personal and biased and has been written with Blue-tinted glasses on, but what a statement it would be to the powers that be to see the league's naughty boys line up with one of the country's hottest young prospects while Richard Masters and co. frantically trying to put Jim Ratcliffe's teddies back in his billionaire pram as he whinges his way through more interviews about the top six not being treated fairly.

I am yet to be convinced that PSR legislation is anything other than the Premier League's way of maintaining order, and current media narrative lends weight to that theory.

Long may Everton Football Club continue to boil the blood, and having Branthwaite line up in Blue come August would certainly help achieve that goal.