Gareth Southgate must take a ‘good look’ at Everton ‘player of the season so far’ Jarrad Branthwaite
England manager Gareth Southgate needs to take a “good look” at Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe.
The journalist added that the central defender, who spent last season on loan at PSV, has been his club’s “player of the season so far.”
The 21-year-old defender, who plays for England Under-21s, has made 11 appearances in all competitions this season for the Toffees.
“Dyche was determined to keep him, and now Southgate needs to be taking a good look at him,” Bascombe wrote on Twitter.
“In praise of Jarrad Branthwaite, a 21-year-old who has been arguably Everton’s player of the season so far.”
Superb season
Branthwaite wasn’t in Sean Dyche’s starting XI at the beginning of the new season, with the youngster forced to watch on from the bench.
But that has proven to be a genius move from the man in the dugout at Goodison Park, with Dyche easing Branthwaite into the first team following his loan spell at PSV last season.
The central defender returned to England a brand new player, having gained crucial experience in the Eredivisie and in Europe.
And he is using that experience for the Toffees this season, forming a solid partnership alongside veteran defender James Tarkowski.
The 21-year-old currently represents the Young Lions on the international stage, but it may not be too long in the future when Southgate turns to the defender for the senior side.
At this moment in time, however, Dyche will want to keep his young ace fully focused on club football, with the player set for many huge games in the coming months as the Toffees look to climb up the table.
In other Everton news, a pundit has slammed the Toffees live on BBC after an “unthinkable” incident in their 1-1 draw with Brighton.