Pundit: Jarrad Branthwaite ‘Perfect Fit’ for Everton, will be sought after for years
Ben Foster believes that Jarrad Branthwaite is a “perfect fit” for Everton and Sean Dyche after his performances this season.
The 21-year-old central defender has been tipped as a contender to win the Young Player of the Season award after breaking into the Toffees side following a successful loan at PSV Eindhoven last season.
His form has seen several top clubs across Europe linked with a transfer for the summer but while appearing on Premier League Productions (4 April), former England goalkeeper Ben Foster admitted that he feels he is the perfect fit for Everton and Dyche.
“He strikes me as a really old-school type of defender,” he said. “He really likes the aggressiveness, the getting in people’s faces, the tackles the physicality. Perfect for Sean Dyche.
“For a 21-year-old to have that aggression and that responsibility where he’s always available and always stands up. Everton have found it tough at times this season but he’s always been there, and always been counted on as well.
“You talk about big units, him and James Tarkowski. You know if you’re playing against them then you have to be on your toes. You’re going to have to think twice about it as well. You might have to play this one short and play it around a little bit because if you’re going to be playing into that Everton box, them two are just going to be clearing it every single time.
“6ft 5, 21 years old, he’s broad, he’s aggressive, everything just seems to be a perfect fit for him. Everton as a football club, the style of play, Sean Dyche, his centre-back partnership.
“He seems to have done all the right foundations and now he’s flourishing in the Premier League.”
Fellow pundit Harriet Prior was also full of praise for him, and claimed he would be sought after for years to come.
“He offers such a nice balance to that left side of the defence and that is something I think will make him so sought after for years to come, because he does offer that really nice balance and has nice attributes as well,” she said.
Branthwaite is an outstanding talent
The Toffees have always had a really good academy, and the pathway to get through to the first team at Goodison Park has always been clear.
From Wayne Rooney to Ross Barkley, it’s usually attacking players who are seen as the future of a club but Branthwaite could easily be the same here despite being a defender.
His age and profile suit what the club want to do going forward, and he has adapted perfectly to play under Dyche and learn a new way of playing.
However, the biggest obstacle is the fact the club are in dire straits financially and likely need to make a big sale or two during the summer which could see him move on.
But should they keep hold of him, there is the chance for a future captain of the club to develop under the bright lights in a new stadium and lead this team into a new era.
In other Everton news, the club’s short-term future is at “great risk” according to one journalist.
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