Robbie Fowler shares England ‘gamble’ verdict on Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was a gamble worth taking for England manager Gareth Southgate at EURO2024, according to Robbie Fowler.
Writing in his Sunday Mirror column (30 June, page 77), Fowler said that with England having so few left-sided options in defence, taking Toffees star Branthwaite to the tournament was a no-brainer.
With the only specialist left-footer in the squad, Luke Shaw, still on his way back from injury, Fowler argued that having Branthwaite as cover in this area would aid an “unbalanced” England defence.
He wrote: “It was obvious to everyone that Shaw was going to struggle – it was always going to be a race against time.
“Waiting for updates on Shaw’s fitness only emphasises the folly of not taking a naturally left-footed defender. Southgate took a punt on Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton, but Branthwaite was surely the gamble he should have taken?
“No wonder the defence looks so unbalanced – England are playing with four right-footed players in there.”
Jarrad Branthwaite could have emulated Everton form for England
There’s little doubt that off the back of his performances in an under-fire Toffees side last season, Branthwaite has proved himself as one of the most promising defenders in England [the i, 21 June].
Tall, quick, skilful and two-footed, Branthwaite is a modern-day defender built almost to spec, and one who could have made a big impact on the international stage in Germany this summer.
With Newcastle veteran Kieran Trippier and Manchester City’s Phil Foden on the left of their defence and midfield so far at Euro 2024, England have looked bereft of ideas on that side of the pitch.
A right-back by trade, 33-year-old Trippier does not represent the forward thinking left-edge option Southgate needs at this tournament, and with Shaw injured, Branthwaite could have been exactly that.
It’s almost ironic that Shaw’s club side Manchester United don’t think Branthwaite warrants £70million price tag set by the Toffees – if he’d been taken to Germany and utilised by Southgate as effectively as he is at Goodison Park, there would be no question over whether the 22-year-old was worth the hype [Fabrizio Romano, 28 June].
In other Everton news, a takeover claim has emerged after one player completed his medical with the club.
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