Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite 'will certainly want to show his ability at a senior level' and a loan move could be 'perfect' for his development, Adam Jones writes.

The lowdown

Centre-back Branthwaite has featured in the matchday squad for seven of Everton's 11 Premier League matches so far this season, but he's yet to play a single minute in the competition under Rafael Benitez.

However, his only piece of first-team action has come in the EFL Cup win over Huddersfield Town back in August, perhaps indicating he would be best place securing some much-needed game time in a temporary exit from the Toffees.

The England Under-20 international is a 'terrific footballer' who 'has got everything', according to his former manager Steven Pressley (evertonfc.com), with Jones now believing he could feasibly move away in the winter window.

The latest

The Liverpool Echo's Jones notes that Branthwaite is 'too good' for the Under-23s, but 'hasn't had opportunities' at senior level.

The 'highly-rated' youngster will be keen to prove himself in the men's game, he says.

And so he could potentially request a loan move in January to rack up valuable experience.

The verdict

This really does seem a logical move for both parties. Benitez may be reluctant to be part with a player he clearly considers a defensive back-up midway through the season but, as Jones notes, loaning Branthwaite out 'would surely benefit' Everton in the long-term.

After he started 10 matches during his spell at Blackburn Rovers in the latter half of the 2020/21 campaign, you'd imagine there'd be Championship suitors if he were to be made available.

The 19-year-old arguably possesses an abundance of potential, especially going by Pressley's past comments, and you could even argue he has the physicality to succeed in England's second tier.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, Branthwaite could more than hold his own up against the Championship's sturdiest strikers - but time will tell whether Everton do in fact sanction a brief departure.

In other news, fans fumed over this transfer update.