Everton: Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane must ‘seize their moment’ in Jarrad Branthwaite absence v Burnley – journalist
Everton fringe stars Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane must “seize their moment” against Burnley on Saturday with Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye absent, according to Andy Hunter.
The Guardian journalist, sharing his preview for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Turf Moor (16 December) believes that whoever Sean Dyche picks out of the rarely-seen duo must step up in Branthwaite’s absence who has been “instrumental” this season.
The 21-year-old has become a vital piece of Dyche’s puzzle this season, starting 14 of their 16 Premier League matches so far but picked up his fifth booking in the 2-0 win over Chelsea meaning a suspension for Saturday’s Dyche-derby.
Hunter, writing for The Guardian (15 December) wrote: “Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye have been instrumental in Everton’s recovery, with the young defender surely catching the eye of Gareth Southgate when the England manager attended Sunday’s defeat of Chelsea.
“Both are suspended against Burnley, having collected their fifth booking of the season in the 2-0 win. While Amadou Onana is a straight swap for Gueye in midfield, Dyche’s alternatives to Branthwaite are the former Burnley defender Michael Keane, who has been carrying an ankle injury, or the out-of-favour Ben Godfrey.
“Whoever he chooses must seize their moment in a game of huge significance at the bottom of the table.”
Big decision
The way Everton are performing right now, one of the form teams in the Premier League in recent weeks, this game may not be too close to call as the table may suggest.
If not for the Toffees’ 10-point deduction, right now, Dyche’s men will be sitting pretty inside the top half of the table, a point behind West Ham United and five points from the European spots.
However, Turf Moor will be a difficult test for the Toffees, especially in Branthwaite’s absence who has looked incredible alongside James Tarkowski at the heart of the Everton defence.
Dyche certainly has a big decision on his hands picking either of Keane and Godfrey to start alongside Tarkowski but given Keane and Tarkowski’s history at Burnley, it would seem more probable for Dyche to go with his second option pairing.
Nonetheless, whether it’s Godfrey or Keane to come on Saturday evening, both players have a huge job on their hands replacing the young Englishman and their lack of match action and practice could well be exploited by Kompany and his team.
Dyche has become a master tactician at Goodison Park this season but now has to cook up a plan to ensure his team are solid without Branthwaite’s presence.
In other Everton news, Ian Herbert has sent a new “extreme” message to Sky after what they did to the Toffees in recent weeks