Theo Walcott says Everton have found a future England international, he’s got something ‘really hard to find’

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Everton fans will feel there is a lot to be optimistic about for the coming months and years.

The Friedkin Group have arrived on Merseyside and made some considerable changes within their first few months.

Appointing David Moyes has been the biggest decision so far and it is one which has paid off massively.

Premier League survival has already been secured for Everton as the club will now be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.

Everton are going to be financed by the Friedkins this summer in their first summer window on Merseyside.

However, the 62-year-old Everton manager is now being told he has a lot of talent already in the squad he inherited in January.

And there is one which former Toffee Theo Walcott has suggested is going to be a future England regular.

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Theo Walcott excited by Everton’s future England star

Although he has now left the club, Walcott recently waxed lyrical about Anthony Gordon following their time together at Everton.

But it is a current Everton player who the 36-year-old now finds himself raving about.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Walcott has spoken incredibly highly about the future Jarrad Branthwaite is projected to have.

“What’s so good about him is it’s really hard to find a good left-footed centre-half these days, as well,” said Walcott.

“I’m not saying that’s the reason why he plays. He’s very composed, he has a goalkeeper behind him that has so much experience and James Tarkowski has been solid at every club he has been at. He’s learning from a lot of good guys and David Moyes is only going to enhance that because he’s always been known for being solid at the back.

“He’s allowed to express himself and he loves that last-ditch challenge; he wouldn’t have caught me, though. He’s a player that the left-side of England’s defence is certainly up for grabs and he probably fits that mould, for me.”

Even Chelsea fans praised Branthwaite for his performance at Stamford Bridge in Everton’s narrow defeat.

With James Tarkowski missing the remainder of the season through injury, Branthwaite will be able to show his quality alongside Jake O’Brien now.

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Thomas Tuchel has to select Jarrad Branthwaite for England

Earlier in the year, Thomas Tuchel snubbed Branthwaite from his England squad and the centre-back had to settle for a spot in the U21s.

Ahead of Branthwaite, the likes of Jarell Quansah and Dan Burn were handed call-ups.

There were plenty of England fans demanding Branthwaite to be selected after they saw what the other defenders did in the first international break of the year.

Branthwaite has been a huge part of the joint-fourth best defence in the Premier League.

Despite this, he is still not viewed by Tuchel as the future of England’s defence despite the clear admiration from those who have played in the league.