Everton: Gareth Southgate has easy decision amid Jarrad Branthwaite and Joe Gomez dilemma
England manager Gareth Southgate has plenty of big calls to make regarding all areas of his Three Lions squad, with Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite surely on his mind.
The man in the dugout is running out of time to make those decisions, with Euro 2024 rapidly approaching.
Fortunately, he has friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium later this month to help finalise his squad for the summer.
As per the Daily Mail (5 March), the manager is, however, currently facing a defensive crisis ahead of those games, with two Merseyside stars among his options.
The newspaper reported that Everton centre-back Branthwaite is being watched closely by the Three Lions boss, with a first England cap potentially coming his way this month.
But there is also another option in the form of his city rival Joe Gomez, with the Liverpool ace also being considered by Southgate.
The Anfield man has been impressive lately, particularly given how he has often been asked to fill in at left-back.
But Branthwaite’s displays have been more consistent, and he should definitely be Southgate’s first choice if the manager is needing an out-and-out central defender.
Should Gareth Southgate hand Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite an England debut?
The Toffees star has been a standout at Goodison Park this season, with his feats at the back more impressive given how poor Everton have been in general.
Moreover, the young defender has even chipped in with some hugely important goals lately, while Gomez’s struggles in the final third have been well documented.
The success of his defenders going forward won’t be a priority for Southgate, but Branthwaite’s ability to find the back of the net simply edges him further ahead of Gomez in the pecking order.
In other Everton news, Ben Jacobs has shared the Tottenham Hotspur transfer stance on one Goodison Park star.
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