Everton: Kevin Thelwell role in Jarrad Branthwaite rise outlined amid Manchester United links
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell played an unseen part in the remarkable rise of Jarrad Branthwaite, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Branthwaite has been superb for the Toffees this campaign since returning from a loan spell at Dutch heavyweights PSV last season.
The centre-back has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United among others, while an England call-up also beckons this month.
Thelwell’s role in Branthwaite’s rise was outlined by Joe Thomas for the Liverpool Echo’s online edition [1 March].
“His breakthrough season in the Premier League has brought him to the attention of Real Madrid, Manchester United and England manager Gareth Southgate,” Thomas wrote.
“While Thelwell’s role in his progress may not initially be clear, it was he who re-negotiated the terms of his loan deal with PSV Eindhoven last season in a bid to provide him with greater exposure to first-team football.
“When his chance came he flourished in the Netherlands and that success led to Thelwell deciding, with others, to clear the path for him in the first team by not extending contracts with Conor Coady and Yerry Mina last summer.”
Manchester United showing interest in Jarrad Branthwaite
Branthwaite is one of those talents that comes around once every now and then, and the good news for Everton is that he only recently signed a new long-term deal.
The England senior international in waiting will know better than anyone that there is no need to rush his career by joining a so-called bigger team this summer.
Assuming Everton remain in the Premier League, Branthwaite has everything he needs to get better and better at Goodison Park – and indeed the club’s new home – for another two or three years yet.
Some players show huge promise before massively regressing, but that just does not look like it has any chance of happening with Branthwaite.
Thelwell deserves credit for stepping in last season and ensuring Branthwaite got the absolute most out of his loan spell at PSV, where he caught the eye.
The youngster then took his chance with both hands when it arrived early in this season, and it is fair to say he has not looked back since then.
All he can do is continue putting in the effort and the world is his oyster. But for now, he is Everton’s to enjoy.
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