Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Andorra and Senegal, with a few surprise inclusions raising eyebrows. Given the relatively modest difficulty of these matches, many fans are hoping Tuchel will use the opportunity to blood younger talent and build for the future.
At the heart of that future is Jarrad Branthwaite. The Everton centre-back has enjoyed a standout season and is widely seen as a cornerstone of England’s next generation of defenders.
However, his involvement in the near term may be in doubt. Branthwaite limped off with a hamstring injury during Everton’s emotional farewell to Goodison Park, and David Moyes indicated he will miss the Newcastle match and potentially remain sidelined into the summer.
Another factor in Branthwaite's omission from the senior squad could be his expected involvement in the UEFA Under-21 European Championship. The tournament in Slovakia is a crucial step in the development of England’s brightest talents, and if fit, Branthwaite is set to join the likes of Adam Wharton, Liam Delap, Rico Lewis, and Tino Livramento as England aim to defend their U21 crown.
I fully support Tuchel’s decision if those factors influenced Branthwaite’s omission. However, for the purpose of this article, I’m setting those considerations aside to focus solely on whether the Everton defender has done enough to merit a place in the England squad on merit alone.
Branthwaite vs Colwill vs Chalobah
Levi Colwill and Trevor Chalobah have both been included in the latest England squad, yet a closer look at the Premier League statistics suggests Jarrad Branthwaite has a compelling case for selection ahead of the Chelsea duo.
While it's important to acknowledge that Everton have faced more defensive pressure this season, making some of the numbers slightly skewed, Branthwaite still stands out through his consistency and reliability at the back.
The Everton centre-back leads his counterparts in several key defensive metrics: clearances (376), interceptions (83), and aerial duels won (177). Although he trails slightly in tackles made (84), Branthwaite’s overall defensive output remains superior. Despite Chelsea's higher league finish, Everton have kept 11 clean sheets compared to Chelsea’s 10, an impressive statistic given Everton’s challenges this season.
While clean sheets are a team effort, Branthwaite’s influence alongside James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford has played a major role in establishing a strong defensive core. His numbers, when paired with his on-pitch maturity, make a strong argument that he is ready for international duty.
When you consider the context in which Branthwaite has delivered these numbers, operating in a side that has faced significant off-field instability, a lack of squad depth, and greater defensive pressure, it only strengthens his case. His consistency and composure in a struggling Everton team highlight a maturity beyond his years.
While Colwill and Chalobah have shown promise in a more possession-based system at Chelsea, Branthwaite has been forged in a more demanding defensive environment, where concentration, positioning, and resilience are tested week in, week out.
Given his superior stats in key defensive metrics and the crucial role he has played in keeping Everton competitive, it’s clear that Branthwaite deserves serious consideration for England. If international call-ups are based on form, performance under pressure, and contribution to team success, not just club stature and who Tuchel has worked with previously, then any Branthwaite’s omission going forward will raise more questions than it answers.
Looking ahead, if England want to build a team that can adapt to different styles and situations, players like Branthwaite, who thrive under adversity, must be part of the conversation. Let's wait and see if our next star is putting the Three Lions on and maintaining his international place on a consistent basis.