‘Has a great future’: Peter Reid says ‘tremendous’ 21-year-old Everton player can still get so much better

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Peter Reid has tipped Jarrad Branthwaite for a ‘great’ future.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the former midfielder has praised Branthwaite and claimed he will only get better as the campaign continues.

The defender has quickly become one of Everton’s most important players in recent months, despite only making 10 appearances in the Premier League prior to this season.

Branthwaite’s brilliant loan spell with PSV last term really caught his parent club’s attention and he was handed his big opportunity when Michael Keane was dropped following the heavy defeat to Aston Villa.

The 21-year-old has been exceptional ever since and has done a good job at steadying the backline. After starting the previous five games in the top flight, Branthwaite was rewarded with a new and improved four-year contract.

Branthwaite had received heavy interest from the likes of Manchester United and PSV, however he now looks set to stay at Goodison Park and Reid has predicted a brilliant career for the youngster.

“I think he has done great, the kid,” Reid told the ECHO. “I think he looks composed; he’s got a bit about him, and he has been very impressive.

“I think he has a great future ahead of him. I like him. I think he reads the game really well, and I think he smells danger, which I like from defenders.

“He’s adapted himself tremendously well in difficult circumstances because it is a struggle at the moment for the Blues, as we all know.

“He’s gone in there, and he’s done smashing. I just think the more games he plays, the better he gets.”

Brilliant business for Branthwaite

Jarrad Branthwaite clearly benefited massively from his time in the Netherlands, but it has only taken him a handful of games to look extremely comfortable in the Premier League.

Considering Everton’s current financial situation and their struggles battling relegation, the club have done exceptionally well to get the 21-year-old tied down to a new deal.

If Branthwaite is dedicated to his contract then it could be an unbelievable bit of business from the Toffees, who could have a top-class England starter on their books in a few years.