League champions have £2.7 million Everton man on their radar
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is poised for big things in the future. He is on an upward trajectory as he develops into a fine centre back and hones his skills at Finch Farm. The player with bucket loads of potential certainly is on the radar of Manchester City.
Branthwaite was the first signing of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign, signed from Carlisle United for a little under £1 million in January 2020. The supporters of Carlisle knew that Everton were getting their hands on a burgeoning youngster with the ability to become a top class centre back if given the right counsel.
Branthwaite made his Premier League debut against Wolves and went onto play the last four Premier League games of 2019-20 season as Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina suffered injuries. The following season, Branthwaite remained the fifth centre back option and the lack of game time in the senior side, saw him move to Blackburn on a loan deal for the second half of the 2020-21 season.
At Blackburn, Branthwaite had a reality check as he couldn’t cope and hit a rough patch. Last season, he was regularly on the bench for Rafa Benitez and there were rumours that he’d be sent out on another loan after he signed a new deal. However, Branthwaite stayed at the club and now with Frank Lampard at the helm, who has an impressive track record of developing youngsters, is working hard on his football.
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Manchester City have scouted Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League Champions Manchester City have looked at Branthwaite. Man City are said to be monitoring a number of young prospects with Ben Nelson of Leicester City also on the list. Pep Guardiola’s side is targeting home grown talent as Brexit regulations have put restrictions on the number foreign players in the squad.
However, Nelson could be in line for first team opportunities at Leicester as the Foxes push to offload Jannik Vestergaard. City are trying to bring young centre backs that can be developed and if they do sign for the Cityzens, they’ll mostly be sent out on loan as competition to cut into the team is immense.
A champion team like Man City studying Branthwaite is a testament that the teenager has huge potential and with time, he’s only going to get better. Everton must do everything to hold onto him, at least for now. Lampard trusts youngsters and there’s no reason to not believe that Branthwaite will get more first team exposure next season.
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Will Jarrad Branthwaite play more regularly next season?