Interest around Everton has been unsurprisingly dominated by the news that broke earlier today.
Jarrad Branthwaite has claimed his first-ever call-up to the England team.
Richly deserved and a long time coming, the 21-year-old cut a reserved figure in his interview immediately following the update.
It perhaps has not quite sunk in, the gravity of what he has already accomplished in just one season starring for the Toffees.
However, despite this monumental achievement, he remained more focused on his teammates, and how they have aided him in his growth.
Jarrad Branthwaite on his Everton teammates
Speaking to Everton’s official site, the Cumbrian-born colossus was more complimentary for everyone who helped him on his journey rather than himself.
After all, as a quiet and humble individual, this marks an outstanding achievement, but not one he will seek to laud.
In fact, he would outline two teammates whom he suggested he felt privileged to play with, including both Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford in his adulation.
Branthwaite claimed: ‘Yeah it’s massive. I think I’ve said, when you’re a young player and you’re in defence you need experienced players to help you learn the game, help you through games and they’ve done that this season.
‘Especially with Jordan behind me, he’s helped me massively so it’s just a privilege to play with them players and they’re helping me along the way.’
Could the feel-good factor be returning for Everton?
When the Merseyside derby was pushed back due to Liverpool’s progression in the FA Cup, there was a sense of mass relief that spread across the blue half of Liverpool.
After all, given the two sides’ respective forms, it could have proven to be a bloodbath at Goodison Park.
And whilst that dreaded fixture has just been kicked down the line, it has also offered an important break for the players and staff, given an international break is set to come just a week later.
So, with a three-week gap until they play in the Premier League again, it could allow everyone involved with the club to just relax for a bit.
It could actually prove pivotal in resetting the tired mindset that has emerged within Everton, allowing the players to return reinvigorated, and allowing fans enough time to forget the horrors of the past few months.
This England news will only aid that healing process, as the feel-good factor could be returning now after going so long without.
It is nothing less than what Sean Dyche needs…
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