Everton fans had very few expectations going into this campaign, and unsurprisingly so after the years of pain they had been dealt with for believing in a brighter future.
Pessimism is a far easier outlook to maintain, especially when things at Goodison Park are often so dreary, and that has been a philosophy that has largely loomed throughout Farhad Moshiri’s reign.
After all, it has been one of false promises and dashed dreams, with many moments that threatened to kickstart an exciting era thrown to the wayside in favour of gross misspending, the flouting of numerous financial rules and the subsequent punishments that have come.
Amidst all that, the club have in turn been forced to sell off most of their key assets over the years too. Romelu Lukaku, John Stones, Ross Barkley, and more recently the likes of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon, all flew the nest in search of the brighter future that never seemed to come on Merseyside.
But with Jarrad Branthwaite, things seem different.
Could Jarrad Branthwaite leave Everton this January?
It is perplexing, given that this arguably represents their gravest financial hour of need, that the club are standing firm regarding the 21-year-old centre-back.
Whilst they could not really stand in the way of the first two from that aforementioned list, given their clear quality and deserved ambition, in Branthwaite there is hope that he could use his immense talent to stick around for the foreseeable future.
After all, he did sign a new long-term contract back in October, thus affirming his commitment to the Toffees.
Well, this latest report has only cemented that further, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport suggesting he is now viewed as an untouchable asset by Sean Dyche.
That is, despite Manchester United plotting a late and rather pitiful €40m (£34m) bid late on in the window amid interest from Chelsea.
How good has Jarrad Branthwaite been for Everton?
Well, with a reported £100m price tag and recruitment insiders at iNews branding him a ‘Rolls-Royce’, it’s fair to say that Branthwaite has been a sufficiently important asset for Everton this campaign.
His defensive work beside James Tarkowski has been a rare shining light throughout an otherwise dull campaign, and without their shared exploits, it’s frightening to imagine where they might be in the league.
As a left-footed Englishman starred at the heart of defence, there are few as unique as this young man.
And what makes him even more special is the maturity and defensive intelligence he boasts too, a factor which certainly belies his years.
In fact, the titanic stalwart is posting an impressive set of figures in the Premier League this campaign, having managed 2.1 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 4.7 clearances and 6.4 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
Few have taken to top-level football with the ease he has this season, and the aforementioned bid by the Red Devils would barely even afford his right leg at the moment.
His untouchable status will be one that delights Evertonians.
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