Everton man Jarrad Branthwaite could leave in January
Everton first-team outcast Jarrad Branthwaite might want to leave temporarily in January.
The Liverpool Echo report that the 19-year-old centre-back could push for a loan move away from Goodison Park if he continues to be left out of Rafael Benitez’s starting XI.
So far this season, he has played just one first-team game but has been on the bench eight times.
However, it doesn’t appear as if he is trusted by Benitez, and a temporary move could be the best thing for him.
Branthwaite to leave.
The fact that Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey have been injured at various points this season and Benitez still hasn’t used Branthwaite suggests that the Spaniard doesn’t seem him as a viable option just yet.
Therefore, a loan to the Championship or to League One might be the best way forward for the young centre-back.
Ultimately, he needs games, and he isn’t going to get them by the looks of it this season.
If he goes out on loan and makes an impression then, he should be in a much better position to make a stake for a first-team spot next season.
The future looks bright for Branthwaite, so let us all hope that the Toffees allow him to leave Goodison Park on loan in January unless Benitez suddenly decides to start playing him.
However, that looks unlikely as things stand.
So a loan away could be good for him and the club in the long run.
In other Everton news, the Toffees could be hurt by new Premier League plans.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.