Everton: Ian Wright drools over Jarrad Branthwaite after England call-up
Ian Wright has called for Jarrad Branthwaite to start for England at Euro 2024 after his “brilliant” Everton form this season.
The central defender received his first senior Three Lions call-up for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month, having become a regular in Sean Dyche’s Toffees side this season.
And speaking on the Stick to Football podcast (21 March), Arsenal legend Wright namecheked the 21-year-old as someone Southgate should be looking at playing in Germany alongside Manchester United sensation Kobbie Mainoo.
“Branthwaite as well, he’s brilliant,” Wright said.
“Like I said with Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton. You’ve watched him this season and you think to yourself, he’s good. Pace, ah brilliant. Reading of the game, attacking of the ball in both boxes, passing out, you think surely they’ve got to be looking at him.
“So to see him in there, again, with that kind of pace next to John Stones who has had an unbelievable season himself, you start to look at it like down the spine of our team [England], it’s pretty strong.”
Everton partnership to benefit England at Euro 2024?
This is by far the strongest squad that England have had in years, and they’re in with a great chance of going all the way in Germany this summer.
But one thing that could potentially make them even stronger is having some club relationships on the pitch, and Branthwaite’s relationship with Jordan Pickford in goal behind him can only be a good thing too.
Obviously Pickford, Harry Maguire and John Stones have a good relationship from their years playing together, but it’s hard to argue that Branthwaite isn’t better than Maguire these days.
His attributes all suit the modern game far more and his pace would allow the team to be far more front-footed too, while it’s also a start to looking towards the future for the team also.
Nobody should be surprised to see Branthwaite in from the start at Euro 2024 because he’s a top defender, and credit goes to Wright for making sure everyone knows it.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville and Roy Keane drop verdict on potential second Everton point deduction.
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