Everton: Sean Dyche lifts lid on Gareth Southgate talks in Jarrad Branthwaite England admission
Everton manager Sean Dyche has lifted the lid on his discussions with England manager Gareth Southgate, admitting he expects Jarrad Branthwaite to be close to a senior call-up.
The Toffees centre-back has been one of Dyche’s best players in a difficult season at Goodison Park, impressing in his debut Premier League season to form an excellent defensive partnership with James Tarkowski.
While Dyche admitted picking the squad for the March internationals was Southgate’s responsibility, not his, he suggested that both his centre-backs should be considered ahead of the European Championships.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (11 March) he said: “I sometimes speak to Gareth if he calls me and asks my opinion. Other than that, I’ve never picked his squad for him. I would imagine that Jarrad would be in the thinking, that’s all, I wouldn’t pick his squad for him.
“But I imagine with his performance. I thought he was good again. I think Tarky’s been excellent as well, between them they’ve been very, very strong.
“I would imagine that he’s somewhere at least in Gareth’s thinking about the squad but as I’ve said, I’ve never ever got involved in who he should or shouldn’t pick, it’s his responsibility, not mine.”
Will Gareth Southgate call Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite up for England ahead of Euro 2024?
Every Everton supporter will be united in their belief that Branthwaite is more than deserving of a place in Southgate’s England squad this March following his impressive displays at the heart of the Toffees’ defence.
England aren’t exactly blessed with defensive options at this moment in time and few English defenders have played as regularly at the top level as the 21-year-old this season so he should be guaranteed a maiden call-up.
The only worry from a Toffees’ perspective will be the fact the Englishman doesn’t need the added exposure as links continue to circle around his long-term future at Goodison Park, with some huge clubs expected to submit substantial bids.
Hopefully, an England call-up will only help Everton drive up their asking price for the defender before the end of the season. They won’t lose him on the cheap, even if they are relegated, but that interest isn’t going anywhere.
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