Everton: Journalist shares likelihood of ‘unique’ Jarrad Branthwaite receiving England call-up
Jarrad Branthwaite could be in line for an England call-up after impressing for Everton this season, according to Dan Bardell.
The Daily Mail reported on its website on 5 March that Gareth Southgate has watched the 21-year-old on at least two occasions in recent weeks and is understood to have been impressed by the centre-back.
The Three Lions boss is set to name his next international squad on Thursday (14 March) for the upcoming games against Brazil and Belgium later this month.
Bardell believes Branthwaite could be worth a call-up for the next set of fixtures after showing he has “unique attributes” since breaking into the first team at Goodison Park earlier in this season.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, the Sky Sports journalist said: “He’s played well in fairness for Everton this season.
“Although modern-day footballers are always quite good on the ball and can play the ball out of defence, he does feel like a little bit of a throwback.
“He’s a very blood and guts, body-on-the-line kind of player, but he’s a big boy as well and he’s left-footed.
“He’s got some unique attributes, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the squad at all. I think it always helps to have a left footer at left centre-back than a right footer.
“If Southgate were to select him, then I don’t think people could argue if he was in the squad. He’s someone who’s worth taking a lot at.
“He’s had a really good partnership with Tarkowski at Everton, who have got the joint-fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League, which is staggering.
“I’ve liked the look of him when I’ve seen him, he’s dangerous from set-pieces as well, which is always useful in international tournaments. I think he’s probably worth a look for the next round of fixtures.”
Jarrad Branthwaite in line for England-callup after Everton form
It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see Branthwaite earn his first call-up to the England senior squad after catching the eye since forcing his way into the first team at Everton.
As Bardell points out, the centre-back possesses different attributes to some of the other options and it could be worth Southgate seeing first-hand what he’s all about in the next international fixtures.
The defender has featured 31 times for the Toffees so far this season, with his form leading to a number of big clubs keeping a close eye on his development at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Moshiri was left without £200million paperwork to sign as a PSR blunder has emerged.
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