Everton: Ian Wright questions England after Jarrad Branthwaite development

Ian Wright has questioned how Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite did not play a single minute for England in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in the past week.

The former Arsenal striker insisted that this would have been the perfect time to look at him and that it doesn't make sense not to have handed him the opportunity.

With injuries ruling out John Stones, Harry Maguire and Marc Guehi who have been the preferred options under Gareth Southgate, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa were the chosen pair.

Taking to X on 27 March, Wright fumed: "How did Jarrad Branthwaite get zero minutes across the two friendlies? Doesn't make sense. Perfect opportunity to have a look at him."

Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite left on the bench for England

Southgate's decision not to call upon Branthwaite became even more bizarre when Stones went off against Belgium, as he opted to shift Konsa to centre-back and bring Joe Gomez on, rather than turning to Everton's defender.

The glaring error made by Brighton's Dunk which cost England the second goal would likely have been avoided if Branthwaite was selected, with his pace and strength enough to take on the likes of Romelu Lukaku as Dunk could not.

Branthwaite’s performances at Goodison Park have been so impressive that he has earned transfer links to the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United, so for Southgate to completely overlook him in the friendlies was strange.

It now seems like his chances of going to the European Championships have suffered a blow, with the manager unlikely to call upon somebody with zero international minutes to play in a major tournament.

In other Everton news, the club are racing Manchester United for a £17million+ signing.

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