21-year-old Everton man could be about to receive first international call-up

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Everton boasts a patchy relationship with the England national team, stretching back through the decades.

And whilst fans will almost always feel that their star men are deserving of call-ups, there have been some notable absentees over the years where a Goodison Park standout was ignored in favour of an alternative playing for a ‘bigger club’.

There is arguably few better example than Howard Kendall, who is widely regarded as the best player to never have won an England cap.

Fortunately, that could be a curse set to end, with this latest news suggesting one of Sean Dyche’s key men could now be about to make his first foray into international football.

Jarrad Branthwaite due his first senior England call-up

With Jordan Pickford as Everton’s sole outstanding representative for the national team in recent years, he will be delighted to see another friendly face potentially join up with him for these two crunch matches against Brazil and Belgium.

Taking to X, Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel would issue an update on how a few outside bets could now be set to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad, including Jarrad Branthwaite.

He is due to announce his roster later today, but this writer has given an early insight.

He writes: ‘England squad named at 2pm. Big hopes for Gomez, Toney and Branthwaite. But Kalvin Phillips facing disappointment.’ David Ornstein has since reaffirmed that notion: ‘Jarrad Branthwaite expected to earn first call-up to England senior squad for Brazil + Belgium games. Selection would reward 21yo Everton left-sided centre-back for excellent progress in key position’.

It is no more than the 21-year-old deserves.

The Everton defender has got what he deserved

Having been a top prospect on Merseyside for years before his eventual breakthrough, last season marked the real emergence for the £35k-a-week titan whilst on loan with PSV Eindhoven.

There, he would hone his technical skillset, getting them up to the same level as his already outstanding physical attributes. Standing at 6 foot 4 but with a blistering turn of pace, his left-footedness only adds to these appealing assets that have drawn widespread attention from other top clubs.

However, Dyche will be desperate to keep ahold of him, given how important he has been in upholding their rock-solid backline.

He, alongside James Tarkowski, makes up one of the true pillars of the squad, who without the rest of the side would crumble.

It should therefore come as no surprise that, when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, Branthwaite actually ranks in the 16% for tackles per 90, and the top 11% for interceptions per 90, via FBref.

With all the necessary attributes needed to shine at any level, this first taste of international football could prove pivotal in furthering his development, and adding plenty more crucial millions onto his eventual price tag.