Sky Sports pundit moots Everton exit for 'outstanding' Jarrad Branthwaite as he possesses 'very rare' talent

Everton will do well to keep hold of Jarrad Branthwaite on the back of his impressive form for Everton this season, according to Efan Ekoku.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday ahead of the Toffees' 2-1 defeat against Tottenham (02:39pm), the pundit said the 21-year-old could "reach the very top of the game" as he has the "very rare" talent of being a left-footed centre-back.

He believes that the England U-21 international has been "outstanding" after breaking into the Blues side during this campaign, adding that he has got a "lot more confidence" to be more ambitious and aggressive with his defending since returning from his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season.

“You can’t be a very good team without a very good goalkeeper and Pickford is a very good goalkeeper,” said Ekoku. “Also the defence as well, Tarkowski’s experience in there, young Branthwaite alongside him, who’s an outstanding player.

"Very composed, I’ve seen out there since his return from PSV, he’s got a lot more confidence to perhaps be a little bit more ambitious with his defending, a bit more aggressive. No doubt he has the ability to recover, he covers a lot of ground, he’s a big guy.

"Left-footed centre-halves are also very rare throughout world football, so a player like him if he continues to improve, he’ll be a real outstanding player. So Everton will do well to keep hold of him. From what I’ve seen, he could reach the very top of the game.” 

Fend it off

There will certainly be interest over the course of the next couple of transfer windows in Branthwaite after his performances for Everton this season.

The defender returned to Goodison Park full of confidence over the summer on the back of his spell with PSV, where he played 36 times for the Dutch club.

He has been excellent since forcing his way into the Toffees' starting lineup, having made 18 appearances in all competitions after building up a strong partnership with James Tarkowski in the heart of the defence.

The Englishman has played a major role in helping the Blues steer themselves away from danger, with his side possessing the joint-fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League this season.

Sean Dyche will just be hoping they can manage to keep hold of one of their prized assets as other clubs could be looking to take advantage of their concerning financial situation as the transfer window approaches.

In other Everton news, Mike Dean has weighed in on a controversial incident against Tottenham.