Everton transfer news: Seven highlights of Jarrad Branthwaite’s career so far
Speculation continues to grow about the future of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with reports that Manchester United are keen on him and have had two bids rejected by the Toffees.
Everton value the 22-year-old at around £75million and with the Red Devils only offering up to £50million, it looks like the Toffees are not willing to budge on their valuation.
There were rumours suggesting Everton had to sell to avoid a PSR breach again, but that was helped by sales of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa and Ben Godfrey to Atalanta.
In light of all the noise surrounding Branthwaite, here are seven highlights of his career so far:
Signing for Everton from Carlisle
Branthwaite made the big jump from League Two to the Premier League as he signed for Everton from Carlisle United in January 2020 at the age of 17.
He was scouted by former director of football Marcel Brands, who later took him on loan at PSV Eindhoven, securing the defender for just £1million, which looks like a major coup now.
Debut for Everton
Branthwaite said his dream was to play in front of ‘great crowds’ when he signed - and he was given his debut against Wolves in July 2020, where unfortunately there were no crowds due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
He replaced Leighton Baines at half-time as the Toffees were chasing the match and lost 3-0 - but at just 18, the youngster earnt his first Premier League appearance which was a huge milestone for a defender who started the season in League Two.
His first start for Everton came a week later away at Sheffield United and he helped the team keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory.
Scoring at the Bridge
Branthwaite scored his first Premier League goal in December 2021, netting against Chelsea as he finished from close range with an assist from fellow academy graduate Anthony Gordon.
The goal earnt Everton an unlikely draw at Stamford Bridge as they were battling at the bottom of the table at the time and Chelsea were going well in and around the top four.
The goal came just four minutes after Chelsea’s opener, with the 19-year-old stepping up when Everton needed him.
Loan to PSV Eindhoven
Following a loan spell at Championship club Blackburn Rovers in the second half of the 2020-21 season, he earnt a huge loan move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven for the 2022-23 season.
Former Everton director of football Marcel Brands, who is now PSV’s president, took the youngster on loan to bolster Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team.
He impressed at the Dutch team, shining in a Europa League victory over Arsenal which gave English viewers a glimpse of his quality.
He won his first trophy as he secured the Dutch Cup against Ajax. Branthwaite scored an own goal in the final but PSV won the match on penalties.
PSV finished second in the league, and Branthwaite looked ready to take his place in Everton’s starting XI for the following season.
Scoring against Liverpool
By April 2024, Branthwaite had become a mainstay in Everton’s defence, starting alongside James Tarkowski for large parts of the 2023-24 season. They started again for the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
He showed his quality in defence and even in attack as he made it 1-0 to the Toffees when his effort squirmed under the body of Alisson and into the net - a goal which sent Everton on their way to victory as they won 2-0 thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal too.
Securing Everton’s first win at home over Liverpool since October 2010 with a goal and a clean sheet, Branthwaite wrote himself in Merseyside Derby folklore.
Award-winning season
Following an impressive breakthrough season at Everton, the young defender earnt the awards of Club’s Young Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the Season.
Everton’s defence was the second best in the division with 12 clean sheets kept in an impressive defensive display by Tarkowski and Branthwaite throughout the season.
Everton ended the season fourth on goals conceded with just Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool conceding less than Everton.
It was a season which truly highlighted how good Branthwaite can be and he has become one of Everton’s most important players at just 22 years old.
England debut
Branthwaite was named in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 and he was given his debut by Gareth Southgate as he came off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park in June, playing his part in a 3-0 victory.
He was perhaps unlucky to not make the cut for the finals in Germany but he has the potential to be in squads for future tournaments and with one cap already, he is only going to get better and earn more caps for his country.
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