After two seasons where so many villains were created, it feels refreshing to see Everton forging a few heroes following the recalibration of the current campaign.
Enduring a tough start despite playing well, at last the results are meriting the performances, and as such the Merseyside outfit has begun establishing a gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
That is in no small part to the immense faith Sean Dyche has held in not only his own qualifications as a fine manager, but also his team, which he continued to praise throughout their struggles.
Nursing Dominic Calvert-Lewin back to health and goalscoring form stands as one of his outstanding contributions thus far for the Toffees, but the steady integration of Jarrad Branthwaite is another which the entire country is starting to take note of, as the former Carlisle United ace only continues his ascendency to the top of the game.
As such, it should come as no surprise that the 52-year-old has praised the £35k-per-week titan, speaking to Sky Sports: ‘I think so far, he missed a bit of pre-season which was unfortunate, he’s come through, he’s got his chance, he’s working hard at his game, I think he’s listening.
‘We’re still keeping the coaching level quite low, just letting him learn as he’s going with more pointers and different things, positional things. Tactical understanding aspects, a lot about being alive in the defensive zone, not just the first press as I call it, the second press. Are you pressing to win a ball? Once its passed drive back into the key areas.
‘Little details that I know as a centre half because I was one, you want to fast track that learning, that’s the idea. But he’s taken it on, he’s been very open-minded to what it is, and he’s enjoying his football.’
How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?
It should stand as glowing proof of Branthwaite’s quality that Dyche has been so effusive in his praise for the 21-year-old, given he is not one to always dish out compliments, especially to youngsters.
He clearly sees what many others do: a truly special talent.
The figures help to support such a notion, as he boasts a similar swagger on the ball that a young John Stones had, but with a no-nonsense streak that has allowed him to avoid huge the catastrophes that the Manchester City man committed during his spell on Merseyside.
As such, when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, Branthwaite ranks in the top 19% for tackles per 90, and the top 12% for blocks per 90, via FBref.
And yet, his five clearances per game actually make him the seventh-highest in that field in the entire Premier League, blending it with an astounding 8.1 ball recoveries per game.
A true defensive warrior, Dyche must have been gobsmacked when he first saw the talented Everton youngster starring on loan with PSV Eindhoven.
The sky truly is the limit for the centre-back, with the world seemingly already at his feet should he maintain his incredible form.
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