Everton’s ‘unbelievable’ gem now earning comparisons to World Cup winner

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There have been numerous success stories already for Everton this season, which has seen huge wins and crushing defeats inside just 11 league games.

They are a side that had become impossible to predict, claiming scalps to earn survival against all the odds after months of underperformance beforehand.

However, it seems things have finally levelled out under the steady and strong leadership of Sean Dyche, who actually seems to have instilled a strict philosophy onto a group of players who have let down so many managers before them.

Part of that newfound solidity has to be owed to the introduction of Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been an instant star at the back alongside James Tarkowski.

Saturday’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion saw no change, with former Toffees star Barry Horne rushing to add to the wealth of praise already received.

Speaking on BBC Sport’s commentary, he noted: ‘Branthwaite again, he’s having an unbelievable season. He does things, he rarely seems to sprint, you rarely see him go to ground, because he’s in the right position.

‘He just stepped across there and you don’t even notice what he’s doing, but he’s done about 10 things in this game and they’ve all just been, not eye-catching in any way, shape or form, he’s just been in the right place.

‘You say Bobby Moore rarely had to put a tackle in because he was in the right place at the right time always.’

How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?

Given his immense stature and mature performances for someone so young, it should come as no surprise that John Stones comparisons are already emerging.

However, Branthwaite is unique in that he will try and play out from the back, but already seems to know when is the right time to clear his lines. At times, that lack of knowledge plagued the Manchester City man’s time at Goodison Park.

As such, he is thriving at the heart of a Dyche team built on his exploits alongside Tarkowski, who together have formed a formidable partnership that few strikers would relish facing.

The 21-year-old titan clearly loves defending, typified by the consistency with which he puts his body on the line. When compared to other centre-backs across Europe, the former Carlisle United man actually ranks in the top 9% for blocks per 90.

And yet, in the Premier League, he is combining that with a 79% pass accuracy, 2.2 tackles, 4.8 clearances and 7.6 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

The sky is truly the limit for the £35k-per-week colossus, who continues to garner praise for his consistency at the back. Everton will be hoping they can keep ahold of their star youngster for a long time, and use him as a springboard to propel them up the table.