Everton: Journalist shares new Jarrad Branthwaite prediction amid Manchester United transfer links
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite could be a future England captain having received his first international call-up, according to Joe Thomas.
The 21-year-old centre-back has been in fine form under Sean Dyche this season and was handed a maiden England call-up by Gareth Southgate for March international fixtures against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley.
Branthwaite has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer and while Liverpool Echo journalist Thomas hasn’t commented on those links, he did admit that he believes the centre-back has a “bright future”.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo on Friday (15 March) he said: “Having had the fortune to speak with Jarrad several times, it is his temperament that has impressed me most. Off the pitch, he comes across well, as a grounded personality who is honest in post-match interviews and appears to be becoming a leader in the dressing room.
“He has a bright future ahead of him and I would not be surprised to see him wearing the captain’s armband for England one day.”
Will Everton manage to keep Jarrad Branthwaite at Goodison Park amid Manchester United transfer interest?
It hasn’t been an easy season for Everton at Goodison Park, with point deductions, profit and sustainability charges and a delayed takeover by 777 Partners making things very difficult on the blue half of Merseyside.
But amongst the misery in Dyche’s side, Branthwaite has been a shining light of success with his wonderful performances week in and week out at the heart of Dyche’s defence that has shown maturity beyond his years.
Alongside James Tarkowski, Branthwaite has formed an incredibly effective centre-back partnership that has made the Toffees hard to beat. Without the pair, fears of relegation this season would have been much higher.
Whether Everton will be able to keep hold of the future England captain beyond the end of the summer remains to be seen, but an England cap will only boost the interest surrounding the 21-year-old in the coming transfer windows.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan has shared a new relegation prediction at Goodison Park in a new Luton Town verdict
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