Michael Ball gushes over Everton player who ‘every club in the world’ would want
Michael Ball believes that “every club in the world” would want a left-sided defender like Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old has been in superb form for Everton since returning from a loan spell with PSV in the summer, having recently usurped Michael Keane as James Tarkowski’s central-defensive partner.
That led to speculation linking him with Manchester United and Manchester City [Daily Mail, 5 October], but Branthwaite last week put pen to paper on a new contract at Goodison Park.
Speaking about Branthwaite on A View From The Bullens podcast [October 15], former Everton left-back Ball said: “He looks very composed.
“I didn’t want to get too carried away early on because we haven’t had a left-sided centre-half in so look that he just looks ten times better than anyone we’ve had, because he’s got that balance.
“He opens his body up and plays the ball out – it’s a simple thing, but some take two or three touches to do that. He makes it look easy. He can control the ball, win his battles, he’s a big lad – he’s got every attribute you could want.
“Being a left-sided player, I know that every club in the world wants a left-sided centre-back. I’m made up he’s signed his new contract.”
Special player
Branthwaite’s loan spell with PSV has seriously payed off as he has been a breath of fresh air since returning to Goodison Park.
It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for Everton, even accounting for the 3-0 win over Bournemouth last week, but Branthwaite has stood out.
The England U21 international has started Everton’s past six Premier League games and it is his place to lose alongside Tarkowski.
Just when Toffees fans feared the worst amid the links with the Manchester heavyweights, the 21-year-old swiftly signed a new contract.
It may well be that Branthwaite is plucked by one of the Prem’s top teams at some point, but for now he is Everton’s to enjoy.
If he can continue improving at his current rate, then Everton will have one special player on their books.
In other Everton news, a Toffees player’s ill-discipline could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Sean Dyche.