Jarrad Branthwaite’s pre-season change could confirm Everton leadership decision

Jarrad Branthwaite could be handed the Everton captaincy for the upcoming campaign.

Seamus Coleman was the club captain but he has left the Blues after 17 years of service, after his contract expired in June.

That leaves a vacancy which the 24-year-old could take over for David Moyes' side.

Branthwaite had a rough season with injuries last time around, featuring just 10 times in the Premier League.

However, he has proven his leadership abilities throughout the years after breaking into the side, and is ready to play a part in a leadership role.

A new change that has been spotted could signal that he is about to be handed the armband for the Hill Dickinson Stadium side.

What has been seen as Jarrad Branthwaite returns for pre-season with Everton?

Branthwaite's return to training will be a huge relief for Toffees supporters.

Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed a change for the academy graduate in footage released on the club's official X account on Friday.

As he was put through his paces with a bleep test, he was wearing a shirt with the number four, rather than his usual number of 32.

That could be a number change that will be confirmed in the coming weeks, although, it could also just be a weird pre-season quirk.

If it does happen, though, it could suggest that he may take over from Coleman as the skipper.

Why could number 4 be signficant for Branthwaite's future?

The Merseysiders have had some iconic number fours through the years, with several players being captain with the number on their back.

Alan Stubbs captained the Blues in the 2004-05 season, when they qualified for the Champions League, wearing the iconic number.

Kevin Ratcliffe was skipper between 1984 and 1992, and he wore the number in that role.

Howard Kendall, who became the L3 outfit's best ever manager, donned the number between 1967 and 1973, and he spent three of those seasons with the armband.

Other famous players to wear the shirt are Joseph Yobo, David Unsworth, Ian Snodin and Richard Gough.

Branthwaite could add himself to the list, if what has been seen in pre-season preparations is anything to go off.