Jarrad Branthwaite spotted at Goodison Park ahead of Everton v Crystal Palace
Jarrad Branthwaite has been spotted arriving at Goodison Park ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and Crystal Palace on Saturday (28 September).
The 22-year-old centre-back has not started a game for the Toffees since the 2024/25 campaign began, having been sidelined with a groin injury, and has been sorely missed.
However, Sean Dyche admitted he was in the hat to start against Oliver Glasner’s side, and his arrival before the match has been described as a “welcome sight” by BBC journalist Giulia Bould via X.
Accompanied by a video of the defensive star walking across the Goodison Park pitch, she wrote: “There he is. Jarrad Branthwaite arrives for the Everton v Crystal Palace match at Goodison Park.
“A welcome sight for Everton fans.”
Jarrad Branthwaite to start in Everton v Crystal Palace?
While it seems unfair to put all the pressure on one player, Branthwaite has been an ever-increasing miss for Dyche’s team as they struggle to get their foot in the new Premier League season.
The Toffees’ defence was hugely important last season, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool conceding fewer goals, but the floodgates have truly opened at Goodison Park so far this term.
In Branthwaite’s absence, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have been the starting centre-back partnership, which only seems to end in disaster, especially against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
The 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the previous match was more positive, finally putting a point on the board, but the Toffees need more if they are to rise out of the relegation zone.
Branthwaite’s return would certainly give Dyche’s side a much-needed boost, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be in the starting XI come time for kick-off.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared what Dan Friedkin must do if both the Toffees and Roma qualify for the same European competition.
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