Everton prospect Jarrad Branthwaite is likely to be in Sean Dyche’s plans for the coming season, with talk in recruitment circles indicating that he is one to watch.
After spending last season on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, the centre-half gained invaluable first-team experience, and senior figures at Everton are said to be pleased with his progress.
That is according to The Athletic, who state that PSV made several attempts to make Branthwaite’s loan permanent, while many clubs around Europe are keeping an eye on the young man’s development.
However, it states that, as things stand, the 20-year-old will remain at Everton and could have the opportunity to force his way into Sean Dyche’s first-team plans during pre-season.
There has been a lot of excitement around Branthwaite’s development at Goodison Park since he joined in a fee valued at around £750,000 to £1m from Carlisle in 2020, though his value could now be around the £20m mark.
Comfortable on the ball, the prodigious young defender returns to Everton at a convenient time, with the Blues requiring defensive reinforcements following high-profile departures.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Branthwaite could finally break into Everton XI this coming season
Yerry Mina leaves the club after five years following the expiry of his contract, while Conor Coady’s loan deal from his parent club Wolves was not made permanent, so he returns to Molyneux.
Indeed, this could be a breakthrough year for Branthwaite in the Premier League, and no doubt fans will be eager to see what he can do during pre-season.
Sean Dyche could be the perfect manager to aid in the young defender’s development, having previously turned the likes of Michael Keane and James Tarkowski into England internationals, while Ben Mee was unfortunate not to get a cap under Dyche’s coaching.
Tarkowski is likely to remain one of Everton’s first choice centre-backs this season, and his experience could be vital should he partner Branthwaite at the back.
Everton need a rebuild throughout the first-team this summer, and building the defence around Jarrad Branthwaite could be a wise investment in the club’s future.