Gareth Southgate should call up £100k-a-week Everton star to England squad instead of Jarrad Branthwaite

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Everton have just one game across the next three and a half weeks, in a break from action that their many supporters will likely relish.

It has been a torrid time to support the Toffees of late, with their woeful form unwavering. Even Goodison Park is on its knees, as a fanbase tired of year upon year of oppression and regression permeates their justified frustration down onto the pitch.

The international break is one such factor that has led to this elongated absence from football, which has actually sparked new intrigue on Merseyside.

After all, they could actually have a few in contention for the England setup at last…

Is Jarrad Branthwaite getting an England call-up?

Jordan Pickford is unsurprisingly a certainty within Gareth Southgate’s squad, but there are others flirting with a spot.

One report even detailed plans to soon integrate Jarrad Branthwaite into the side, with the national team boss having been impressed with his recent performances, and viewing him as a key cog in the country’s future.

It could be that latter notion that opens up the door for his counterpart to potentially snag his spot for this summer, as James Tarkowski is certainly deserving of a call-up too.

With just one international appearance to his name, the £100k-a-week titan has been resolute and relentless at the back for Sean Dyche’s side.

If anyone deserves a call-up, it is surely him.

James Tarkowski has been one of Everton’s best players

Given their woes in front of goal and the solidity they have forged at the back, it would be hard to argue against the suggestion that defence has won Everton the bulk of their points this season.

With Tarkowski and Branthwaite as the core of a solid backline, sitting just in front of the ever-reliable Jordan Pickford, it is no surprise that they boast the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League, with only the top three sides having conceded less.

And whilst his younger counterpart will likely snag most of the plaudits, due to his meteoric rise onto the scene and the bright future he boasts, it could be argued that Tarkowski has performed better and would be more deserving of a call-up.

Especially if Southgate has plans to win this summer’s European Championship, with the 31-year-old unlikely to feature in the future of the national team.

Branthwaite has plenty of time, and whilst he has been an unstoppable force this season, his success is owed to the steady leadership of Tarkowski.

Not only that, but the former Burnley enforcer has also posted more interceptions (1.8) and clearances (4.7) per game than Branthwaite, with his thunderous cross-field balls often opening up the game for a far-from-expansive Everton side.

Perhaps, with the quality England have, Tarkowski could lead them to success before bowing out of the national setup for good, only then allowing Branthwaite his long-term spot.