Everton must keep Jarrad Branthwaite with a potential summer defensive reshuffle on the cards
Everton must keep Jarrad Branthwaite following his loan completion at PSV Eindhoven, with Sean Dyche potentially undergoing a defensive reshuffle this summer.
The 20-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a fruitful and impressive spell while on loan at PSV Eindhoven, learning his trade under the tutelage of Manchester United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The Daily Mail claimed [31 January] the Toffees were set to reject a £15million bid for the 20-year-old defender with the Dutch outfit willing to make the loan deal permanent following his stark progress in Holland.
Branthwaite scored twice as the Dutch side overcame FC Emmen in the KNVB Cup on Wednesday night (8 February), after which the PSV head coach heaped praise on the youngster for his performance.
The Dutchman said, as per Voetbal Primeur [9 February], after the cup win: “How he fought his way into the team… He showed himself fantastic.”
“He’s complete, he’s got speed, he’s big. He’s also only 20, so there’s a lot of stretch. Or am I going to say they have to do everything they can to keep Branthwaite? To the current technical director, the previous one, the future, all of them”
“Hopefully he is one for the future, that’s how we see him internally.”
The 20-year-old is already attracting much interest as a result of his fine performances for PSV, with the Daily Mail [8 February] claiming that Manchester United, Liverpool and Roma will send scouts to watch the player in the coming week.
The report states that Roma have also been checking regularly on his progress while the fact he is homegrown and left-footed has kept Liverpool and United on his trail.
The Toffees are said to be happy for him to continue his development before “taking stock” in the summer, and that decision should well be taken with careful consideration as Branthwaite still holds a huge future at Goodison Park.
The 20-year-old has indeed undergone a steady and impressive rise at PSV Eindhoven.
The Dutch outfit are one of the best clubs in Europe when it comes to developing young talents, and it seemed a brilliant business for all parties when he joined on loan last summer.
However, the Toffees will almost certainly be undergoing a huge defensive reshuffling this summer, with the likes of Michael Keane, who’s been linked [Daily Mail, 23 January] with moves away in the past, looking set to finally move on this summer.
Colombian international Yerry Mina faces an uncertain Everton future with his contract running out at the end of the season and was reportedly allowed the chance to depart Goodison Park last month [Liverpool Echo, 21 December].
Also, the future of defensive stalwart Conor Coady at the club – on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers – isn’t guaranteed either.
With that being said, it is hugely imperative new manager Sean Dyche and the Toffees hierarchy secure the future of one of the club’s most prestigious young talents in Branthwaite.
It’s no surprise top clubs around Europe are scouring for his services because Branthwaite could well mould himself to become one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders and the fact that he’s left-footed makes him an attractive proposition for any elite European side. The Toffees don’t have that luxury in their weaponry which makes an absolute must-keep this summer.
The player could well form a great partnership with Dyche’s trusted defensive lieutenant James Tarkowski in the near future.