Young Everton Defender has Uncertain Future After Loan Spell
By Marley Pope
After a nail-biting finish to the premier league campaign, Everton and Sean Dyche need to look to improve the squad on all fronts.
Following the departures of centre-backs Yerry Mina and Connor Coady, a void needs to be filled to have a quality defense for next season.
20-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite has only played 23 combined games in his youth career and as a senior member of the squad for Everton.
He just finished a year-long loan at PSV Eindhoven, playing in 36 matches and adding four goals. He appeared in 27 of 34 Eredivisie matches, starting 21 of them. Branthwaite was a key player for the club finishing in second place in the Netherlands’ top division.
He started the last seven games of the season, including in a cup final, beating Ajax to win the KNVB Cup.
At 6 foot 5 inches, Branthwaite offers tremendous height and range in addition to patience on the ball and in possession. He is also left-footed, unlike any other center-back in the Blues squad. He is strong in the air and has good instincts for anticipating passing play.
According to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink, Everton is asking for 13.5 million pounds if PSV wants to keep Branthwaite.
The Dutch club wants to keep him, but at a lower price, around six or seven million says Elfrink.
Valued at 7 million euros on Transfermarkt, the apparent price Everton is asking takes into account the potential of the young Englishman.
Branthwaite is expected to be offered a new contract, which would cement commitment from both sides.
Either way, Jarrad Branthwaite should not be sold and Everton should give him an opportunity to earn minutes. He has paid his dues waiting for a spot in the first team.
The other centrebacks in the team were in and out of the lineup except for James Tarkowski, who played every minute of the premier league season.
Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey, and Michael Keane were not up to par this season, and at least one of them should be sold elsewhere.
The decision to keep Jarrad Branthwaite is a no-brainer and he should flourish under the coaching of Sean Dyche and being next to James Tarkowski.
Everton can save time and money by electing to keep Branthwaite, rather than scout for other potential signees to bring into Merseyside.