Everton: 3 possible player options to solve issues in central defence

An injury to teenage central defender Jarrad Branthwaite marred Everton’s 3-0 victory against Salford City in the Carabao Cup.

Jarrad Branthwaite went off an ankle injury in the 24th minute. The Everton youngster hasn’t been scanned yet and so the severity of the knock isn’t known yet. Jarrad Branthwaite had a spectacular last season especially, during the Project Restart where he got an extended run in the team due to injuries to Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina.

With last season’s breakout defender Mason Holgate also out with a toe injury, Everton is now down to two central defenders (Michael Keane and Yerry Mina) in the first team squad. Manager Carlo Ancelotti told the Liverpool Echo:

"Holgate is out and Jarrad we don’t know his injury and how bad it is, we have to look. There is a possibility to find a centre-back and I think we have to do so."

With Yerry Mina also prone to a niggle (he missed seven games with a hamstring injury last season) another central defender has always been on Director of Football Marcel Brand’s shopping list.

1. Tosin Adorobioyo

According to the Liverpool Echo, The Blues are looking to Manchester City for a centre-back. Not John Stones as it has been reported, but Tosin Adarabioyo. The 22-year-old has asked to leave and is being tracked by Brighton, Fulham and West Ham as well as Everton.

A product of the City system, Tosin Adarabioyo has spent the last two seasons on loan with Championship teams. He played 35 games for Blackburn Rovers last season, scoring three times. In 2018-19, Tosin Adarabioyo played 36 times for West From, including one playoff game.

It hasn’t been reported what City would accept for him, but he would be affordable.

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Holgate’s injury isn’t as bad as originally thought, so Ancelotti expects him to return earlier than previously reported. However, he still wants another central defender to give the Toffees 3 in the first team squad. Ancelotti told the Evening Standard:

"The Holgate update is that he doesn’t need the surgery so maybe he can recover earlier than normal but I think we can manage until Mason comes back with three centre-backs no problem."

2. Fikayo Tomori

The same story is one of many that link the Toffees with a loan move for Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori. However, as a link with Rennes has emerged it seems Everton interest has cooled.

Ancelotti refused to talk about a move for Tomori, telling the Evening Standard:

"I am not talking about players that are not here."

3. In house options

There some possibilities at Everton, Bosnia’s Muhammed Besic played as a central defender early in his career. However, it seems unlikely Besic will remain at Goodison. There is also 20-year-old Lewis Gibson, who spent part of last season on loan at Fleetwood. According to the Liverpool Echo, It’s still planned to loan Gibson to Huddersfield.

What do you think, which central defender would you like to see Everton bring in or should they utilise players already at the club?