Everton can recall Jarrad Branthwaite after ‘giant’ failed to meet requirements
Defensive monster Jarrad Branthwaite could be recalled by Everton after failing to meet playing time requirements at PSV Eindhoven, according to Voetbal International.
The 20-year-old, who is described as a “giant” by the Dutch publication, was once again a substitute for PSV’s 3-0 home win against NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Sunday (30 October).
He only played the final five minutes after coming on for Philipp Mwene but missed the Dutch side’s previous three league meetings and three Europa League clashes.
He did play 79 minutes against Arsenal in the continental competition and helped to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win but having failed to properly break into Ruud van Nistelrooy’s plans, he has not met the required games in the first half of the season.
This means that Everton can now recall him without charge when the January window opens and PSV will be helpless if they choose to do so.
Get him out
It’s obvious to see that van Nistelrooy is very inexperienced as a manager because anybody should be able to see that the Cumbrian giant should be starting regularly.
At Everton, he probably returns as the third-best option behind Conor Coady and James Tarkowski but Frank Lampard has to try and get him a loan in the Championship if he is recalled in January.
Not playing regular games at the senior level can really hurt a player’s development at 20 years of age and this can’t be a case of a lack of physicality but rather footballing ability.
He’s shown before at Everton that he has the awareness to snuff out danger for the most part and while he has been far from perfect so far, the potential is obvious to see.
But PSV are not obliged to play him if they think other options are better and with Olivier Boscagli nearly back from injury, his task will be made even harder.