Everton: Gareth Southgate embarrassed by Jarrad Branthwaite mistake in England loss v Brazil
Everton are well represented in the England squad currently, with Gareth Southgate picking Jordan Pickford and Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The Three Lions have not got off to the best start, losing 1-0 to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 March, marking their first loss at the ground since October 2020.
Toffees fans were already disappointed to see their star defender Branthwaite dropped to the bench instead of being handed his international debut, and Southgate will regret his decision after that too.
Everton ace an unused substitute in England loss v Brazil
With Ezri Konsa already replacing Kyle Walker after 20 minutes, the England manager was keen to get fresh legs in the defence with 25 minutes of the match still remaining.
Replacing Ben Chilwell and Harry Maguire, Brighton’s Lewis Dunk and Liverpool’s Joe Gomez were called upon to fit into the backline ahead of Pickford, leaving Branthwaite on the bench as the only unused defender.
The 21-year-old should be outraged, having created a formidable relationship with James Tarkowski at Goodison Park – so good that only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals than 16th-placed Everton.
Gareth Southgate left red-faced as Lewis Dunk mistake leads to Endrick winner
It is Branthwaite who had the last laugh, however, as 17-year-old Endrick capitalised on sloppy defending from Dunk after Vinicius Junior nicked the ball off him and sprinted towards goal. Pickford saved the initial shot but could do nothing about the follow-up.
The Toffees defender will like to think that, were he in Dunk’s position on the night, England may have been leaving Wembley Stadium with a draw, rather than a loss ahead of a clash with Belgium.
Of course, the next friendly fixture on Tuesday 26 March will give Southgate an opportunity to put things right, which would be to start Branthwaite and award him his first England cap of his career.
In other Everton news, Jordan Pickford has gushed over a ‘Rolls-Royce’ Goodison Park teammate after a recent development.
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