Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite on right track for senior England call - Lee Carsley
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is on track to be called up by the England senior squad, according to Under-21s manager Lee Carsley.
The young defender has starred for Everton this season after returning from a spell on loan with Eredivisie side PSV.
Branthwaite is once again part of the Young Lions' squad for their Euro qualifiers with Serbia and Northern Ireland, but he may soon be part of Gareth Southgate's senior side.
Speaking to reporters at Goodison Park, as per The Cumberland News [13 November], Carsley said: "The way he trains every day, the way he is around the environment, he deserves the chances he's getting.
"Hopefully he keeps playing well for Everton, keeps playing well for the Under-21s and puts himself in the picture for the senior team."
Keep it up
After spells on loan with Blackburn Rovers and PSV, Branthwaite is now a settled member of Sean Dyche's favoured starting line-up at Everton.
The 21-year-old has been nothing short of brilliant since usurping Michael Keane and becoming James Tarkowski's partner in the heart of defence.
Even accounting for his misstep against Crystal Palace last weekend, when a lapse in concentration allowed Odsonne Edouard to pounce, Branthwaite has been key to Everton's turnaround in form of late.
The Carlisle native will no doubt be eyeing a place in the England senior squad ahead of next summer's European Championship finals, but he seems more likely to represent the U21s instead.
Once a new qualifying cycle starts for the 2026 World Cup, Branthwaite will be hoping he is in a position to become a regular for the Three Lions at senior level.
If that is to happen, he simply has to continue doing what he is doing for Everton and wait for the rewards to follow.