Gary Lineker thinks £35k-a-week Everton player could make late push for England’s Euro 2024 squad

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Everton have not had many players star for England in recent years, likely due to their own deficiencies as a club.

A lack of talent alongside a lack of clear and coherent club strategy has thwarted the efforts of many who had dreams of thriving for their country, but Jordan Pickford has managed to buck that trend.

He has only solidified his spot as England’s number one over the years, and despite pressure from many in his role he has only continued to flourish.

As such, he remains the pride of Goodison Park, when his international exploits allow the rest of the country to see what Evertonians have known for seven years now.

And now, should Gary Lineker’s premonition come true, he could have one of his club teammates set to join him.

Which Everton player does Gary Lineker think could go to the Euros with England?

Chatting with Alan Shearer on The Rest is Football podcast, the former Everton and Barcelona striker delved through a number of topics including Newcastle United’s FFP troubles and the potential England squad for this summer’s European Championship.

But, when questioned about who he saw as an outside bet to earn a call-up, he turned to one of the Toffees’ star men: Jarrad Branthwaite.

Lineker claimed: ‘Possibly a central defender. Branthwaite maybe, if he finishes the season really strongly. There is a possibility in that particular position.’

Would Jarrad Branthwaite deserve an England call-up?

Personally, calling Branthwaite up to the England senior squad should be a no-brainer for Gareth Southgate.

After all, for all the world-class talent he has at his disposal, particularly in the midfield and attack, his options at the back have always been somewhat lacking.

This has left him somewhat hamstrung, although he has not helped himself by persisting with Harry Maguire alongside a combination of other defensive partners.

The emergence of this 21-year-old titan could be crucial in securing a solution to one-half of the country’s most pressing problem for the next decade, with his pace, power and left-footedness just three of many outstanding assets that have helped him shine this season.

Thrusting him in with the seniors as soon as possible would do his development wonders, but the ease with which the £35k-a-week powerhouse has taken to Premier League football only further reinforces his competency at the elite level.

Southgate has always claimed to be a manager who would pick his sides based on form, and given Everton currently boast the second-most clean sheets of any team in the division, Branthwaite and James Tarkowski must be on his radar.

However, the former is certainly the more likely of the two to go, given the sparkling future for both club and country he is promised.