How Jarrad Branthwaite can achieve David Moyes target already in Everton vs Wolves after latest reveal
Jarrad Branthwaite has enjoyed an injury-free start to the season for Everton.
The Hill Dickinson fan favourite is growing with each passing game, and was colossal during the Toffees' 0-0 draw away to Tottenham at the weekend.
The centre-back suffered another injury setback last term, and worked extremely hard during pre-season to ensure he would be fit for the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
David Moyes knows just how important Branthwaite is to the Blues, and he could be the difference between the club achieving a spot in Europe.
But a midweek Carabao Cup clash against Wolves is on the horizon, and it asks a new question of the 24-year-old.
Can Branthwaite play his first midweek game for Everton this season?
Jarrad Branthwaite reveals target David Moyes set him ahead of Wolves clash
Branthwaite visited an injury specialist in Germany, which has hopefully put his hamstring issues behind him.
He's started all four of Everton's opening Premier League games, playing the full 90 minutes in every match.
However, he was rested in the 4-0 Carabao Cup win against Preston, which meant he could not yet meet Moyes' target for him.
Branthwaite has revealed, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo: "The manager is always saying to me: ‘You need to be ready for the midweek game'.
"I’m always saying to him, ‘I know, I know’, but I think he knows as well that we’ve got to not be careful, but the fact that I was out for such a long time, there’s no point rushing things.
"I think you saw in the cup game a few weeks ago, I wasn’t involved and that was all planned. So, we’ll see what happens midweek, I imagine I’ll be involved."
Branthwaite could make the bench and come on against Wolves on Wednesday to technically fulfil Moyes' target.
Though it would be a travesty if the Englishman were to start and injure himself so early on in the campaign.
Baby steps are crucial for Branthwaite, who still has big aspirations.
Branthwaite eyes England call-up
Everybody at Everton knows that Branthwaite has the potential to be the future of England's defence.
He has made one cap for the Three Lions, which came in a friendly back in 2024, but has not played for his country since.
Speaking on his England ambitions, he said: "I said last season, before all the injuries, [being in the England squad] was something I was looking to be involved in.
"It’s the same again this season, so hopefully I can be involved in the next camp, and I’ve just got to keep playing well and see if I get in."
Players like John Stones, Harry Maguire and Dan Burn are coming to the end of their time as England internationals.
Others, such as Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, are Branthwaite's competition.
But Evertonians will feel that the former PSV loanee has the ability and more to offer Thomas Tuchel some safety at the back in the years to come.