Everton’s summer is set to be another dominated by rumours and conjecture, mainly born of their financial uncertainty.
This has been a position that the Toffees have been in for some time now, and yet despite offloading key men with each passing season, they never seem to reach parity.
That could all change though, should Sean Dyche cash in on the interest in Jarrad Branthwaite or Amadou Onana.
Both would fetch handsome sums, but would leave huge vacancies within the squad. This is the trade-off that the club need to weigh up before making the necessary sacrifice before the June 30th deadline.
However, before that, we have the European Championships to enjoy, and one Everton player is set to thrive for England.
Wayne Rooney left stunned by what happened to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
Jordan Pickford has been a mainstay throughout Gareth Southgate’s entire tenure as manager, however ahead of this summer’s tournament, there has been some backlash towards his omission of another Toffees star.
Branthwaite, who has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign in the Premier League, offers everything that the national team lack in defence. And yet, for whatever reason, he was snubbed.
Such a decision has left Wayne Rooney, among others, completely stunned, and he would outline his thoughts on the matter whilst speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap.
He claimed: ‘That’s why I am so surprised with Branthwaite now there. With Trippier, who is also right-footed, I think Branthwaite would have given so much balance. He is very good with his feet. He went out to Holland, came back to Everton, he is a big lad, he’s aggressive. That was the biggest shock to me that he wasn’t in the squad.’
Jarrad Branthwaite should be in the England squad
As aforementioned, there are few who Southgate selected in the defence who can offer what Branthwaite can.
Crucially, other than a half-fit Luke Shaw, they boast no other left-footed defenders.
Whilst the 21-year-old in question was unlikely to deputise at left-back, having a left-footed centre-back offers huge balance in a backline, and would have definitely aided England in their build-up play.
Especially given the former Carlisle United man has showcased a fine passing range within an Everton side who have been mostly direct all season.
Not only that, but his pace and athleticism make him a far more dynamic defender compared to the likes of John Stones, who too is injury-prone, and Lewis Dunk.
Even if he wouldn’t have played, Branthwaite had still more than earned his spot on the plane. His omission, as Rooney noted, was a shocking one.
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