Jarrad Branthwaite is central to Everton’s defensive plans heading into the new season. His breakthrough performances last year were a major reason for the club's improved stability at the back, and his composure, physical presence, and reading of the game have made him one of the most promising young centre-backs in the Premier League.
Under David Moyes, who thrives on building solid defensive foundations, Branthwaite is expected to be a key pillar in a system that relies on resilience and organisation.
However, Everton will have to navigate the Premier League Summer Series without him as Branthwaite has been ruled out of the three fixtures due to a minor quad injury. While not considered serious, the decision to rest him is a precautionary one, aimed at avoiding any further setbacks ahead of a long and demanding season.
Or is it? While the club has described Jarrad Branthwaite’s quad injury as “minor,” his absence from the U.S. tour raises some eyebrows, certainly mine if not anyone's.
Typically, even players carrying slight knocks or minor injuries travel with the squad for pre-season tours, especially one as high-profile as the Premier League Summer Series. The benefits are clear: warmer climates aid recovery, and maintaining close contact with teammates and first-team medical staff allows for seamless rehabilitation and reintegration into training.
For a player so vital to Everton’s defensive setup, the decision to leave him at Finch Farm rather than take him on tour could hint at something more serious. Whether it's an extra cautious approach to avoid aggravating the injury or a sign that the issue requires more intensive, controlled treatment, it suggests the club isn’t taking any risks.
I’m no injury specialist, but we’ve seen countless examples in the past where clubs still take injured players along on preseason tours, even when they’re not fit to play. The reasons go beyond just physical recovery.
These tours are as much about team building and tactical cohesion as they are about match fitness. Having a player, especially one as important as Branthwaite, involved during tactical sessions, video analysis, and defensive drills allows him to stay in sync with the evolving system and maintain his understanding of positional responsibilities.
It’s also about chemistry and morale. Preseason tours are where squads bond, especially with new signings arriving and younger players stepping up. Being part of that environment helps strengthen the unity and camaraderie within the camp, something that can’t be replicated back at home.
The fact that James Tarkowski is also recovering from a hamstring injury, yet remains with the squad on tour, only adds to the intrigue. His presence suggests the club sees value in keeping injured players integrated, making Branthwaite’s absence all the more puzzling.
Does this have the hallmarks of an injury that could sideline him for the early part of the season? Or are we witnessing the early signs of a transfer saga, something not unfamiliar to the developing Alexander Isak situation, where a player, recently committed to the club, begins to quietly explore options elsewhere?
Branthwaite has made no public statements, but speculation is inevitable when a key player stays home while the rest of the squad travels.
For now, time will tell. Let’s hope, as the club insists, it’s nothing more than a minor knock, but the situation is certainly one to watch closely.