BBC pundit Glenn Murray has snubbed every Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City defender to name Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite in his Premier League TOTS so far.
Murray believes Branthwaite has been one of the top-two centre-backs so far this season in the Premier League for Everton. The 21-year-old has started in 17 of the Toffees’ 20 fixtures to date term. He was only an unused substitute during the Blues’ first two games in August.
Everton coach Sean Dyche brought Branthwaite into their line-up after back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa. He has since named just one squad that did not have the England U21 star in it. Branthwaite was suspended as Everton beat Burnley after his fifth yellow card.
Branthwaite has interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid
Branthwaite has also played for 1,530 minutes during his Premier League appearances since returning to Goodison Park. The 6 ft 4 enforcer spent last season on loan for PSV Eindhoven and won the KNVB Cup. While his efforts on Merseyside sealed him a new contract to 2027.
Everton moved to lock Branthwaite down in October but TEAMtalk has continued to credit Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur with an interest in his transfer. But the Toffees would demand around £75m to sell the centre-back if forced to sell to avoid breaching FFP.
Reports by the Daily Mail also now claim that Real Madrid are monitoring Branthwaite with a summer transfer from Everton in mind. Galacticos coach Carlo Ancelotti is eager to land a defender and may explore a reunion. Ancelotti gave Branthwaite his Everton debut in 2020.
Murray includes the Everton defender in his Premier League TOTS so far
What Branthwaite has produced to attract interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid has also now sealed the Everton ace a spot in Murray’s Premier League Team of the Season so far for BBC Sport. He took the 21-year-old with Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.
Murray believes Branthwaite and Dunk have been the best centre-backs so far this season in the top-flight. He also chose against fellow BBC pundits Nigel Reo-Coker – who took Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk – and Fara Williams – who only chose William Saliba as a centre-back.
Yet while Ake, Van Dijk and Saliba are helping to see Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal fight over the Premier League title, Murray believes what Branthwaite and Dunk have given Everton and Brighton trumps their displays. He is also the only Everton player in either side.
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