Everton ‘reaping the rewards’ for Jarrad Branthwaite decision – Michael Ball
Michael Ball believes Everton “are reaping the rewards” for signing defender Jarrad Branthwaite when they did after his big impact this season.
Branthwaite arrived at Goodison Park from Carlisle United as a relative unknown in January 2020 and has this season become a regular for the Toffees.
The 21-year-old has been praised for his performances since returning from a loan spell with PSV and last week signed a new long-term contract.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo [10 October], Ball said: “The thing with Jarrad is that he was also someone who was highly regarded when he was at Carlisle United. Someone who was being watched by a lot of clubs.
“However, you could say that Everton are reaping the rewards from making the jump and signing him when they did.
“He has also massively benefited from going out on loan, first at Blackburn Rovers, then at PSV Eindhoven. As a former PSV player myself, I know how tough it is to play for the Dutch giants.
“They expect a lot from their side, but Jarrad has definitely benefited from playing men’s football on a regular basis over the last season and a half, and you can’t help but feel he is only going to get better the more he plays.”
Huge promise
Branthwaite has been a shining light for Everton in what has been a tough start to the campaign, even accounting for the 3-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend.
The England U21 international impressed on loan in Eredivisie with PSV last season and was backed by many to start in the heart of defence for the Toffees this campaign.
After biding his time, he has usurped Michael Keane to partner James Tarkowski for Everton’s past six Premier League games and it is now very much his place to lose.
The recent speculation linking him with Manchester pair United and City [Daily Mail, 5 October] says it all about the youngster’s potential.
It also made it all the sweeter when he put pen to paper on a new contract at Goodison Park last week, tying him down to the club until the summer of 2027.
If he continues to deliver on the early promise, there is no reason why Branthwaite cannot be a regular fixture in the heart of Everton’s defence over these next four years and possibly beyond.
In other Everton news, Peter Reid has shared his view on a “frustrating” injury development at Goodison Park.